By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
The SK Wyverns survived a late-inning surge by the Kia Tigers in a 4-3 victory Tuesday in Incheon to tie the Korean Series 2-2.
The home-side let the Tigers move within one in the ninth inning and load the bases with two outs, but reliever Yoon Gil-hyon worked his way out of the jam, inducing a game-ending grounder from Lee Hyun-gon.
Right-handed starter Chei Byung-yong allowed one run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings, fanning five batters, while veteran outfielder Park Jae-hong blasted a two-run homer for the Wyverns, which rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win the title in 2007.
The Tigers won 5-3 and 2-1 in Games 1 and 2, while the Wyverns took the third game in an 11-6 romp.
``Although we gave up two runs in the ninth, Chei and relievers provided solid deliveries,'' Wyverns' manager Kim Sung-keun said.
``After winning Game 3, players are regaining their form. Through three straight Korean Series appearances, the players know how to handle it.''
After the first five Wyverns were retired by Tigers southpaw Yang Hyeon-jong, Chung Sang-ho reached first on a walk and Park Jae-hong connected for the two-run homer off Yang in the second.
Chung ripped the left-hander again, who then retired seven batters after the two-run shot.
The catcher, who batted .556 (5-for-9) with two home runs and four RBIs in the series to that point, hit a double to left-center and advanced to third as Park sacrificed.
Na Ju-hwan doubled home Chung to make it 3-0, but the Wyverns failed to score more, stranding two runners.
The Gwangju-based club got on the score sheet in the sixth as Lee Hyun-gon hit a solo shot off Chei to trim the Wyverns' lead to 3-1.
The home side extended the lead to 4-1 in the eighth.
Park Jae-sang started the inning with an infielder single, Park Jung-kwon and Chung walked to load the bases, and Cho Dong-hwa hit a deep infield single to second baseman to put the Wyverns up 4-1.
Pinch-hitter Cha Il-mok led off the final inning with a single to left and Choi Hee-seop follow that with another single to right.
Two outs later, Na Ji-wan singled up the middle to make it 4-2 and the nine-time champion loaded the bases again.
Yoon made a good pitch to get a ground ball from Kim Sang-hoon, but shortstop Na Ju-hwan's fielding error cut his team's lead to 4-3.
ksw@koreatimes.co.kr