 SK Wyverns leftfielder Park Jae-sang celebrates rounding the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning in Game 3 of the Korean Series at Munhak Ballpark, Incheon, Friday. / Yonhap |
By Yoon Chul
SK Wyverns left fielder Park Jae-sang led the team’s 2-1 victory on the field as well as at bat against the Samsung Lions at home in Game 3 of the Korean Series, Friday.
After Park denied the Lions challenge to acquire a run at home plate with a wonderful throw, he hit the solo home run for an early lead in the fourth inning at Munhak Ballpark, Incheon.
Choi Dong-soo also aided with another dinger in the fifth.
With the victory the defending champions is trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven Korean Series.
Game 4 is scheduled at the same ballpark at 2 p.m., Saturday.
Wyverns starter Song Eun-bum allowed the bases in every inning except the fifth but he solidly stood at the mound giving no run for five innings.
Meanwhile Lions starter Justin Germano denied the Wyverns batter to the base until the fourth with three strikeouts.
The American allowed only three hits in the five innings but two of them were home runs.
The visitor had a decisive chance first.
The bases were loaded in the third with one out in the third. As the team has a strong bullpen they only needed the first run for victory.
Wyverns’ manager Lee Man-soo believed in their starter, Song and he replied to the boss’ expectations.
Song should have competed against Chae Tae-in and Choi Hyung-woo, the key batters of the Lions. But the two sluggers were struck out and returned to the dugout.
In the fourth, the regular season champion, Lions, had another decisive chance to score.
With runners on the second with two outs, Lions catcher Jin Gap-yong’s hit landed at left field. Runner, Kang Bong-kyu dashed home but Wyverns left fielder Park Jae-sang’s throw reached the home first to get the third out.
As overcoming two threats the Wyverns dugout was rapidly on the ascent.
Park sent Germano’s well controlled pitch over the left fence for a 1-0 lead.
In the fifth Wyverns slugger Choi Dong-soo generated another solo homer to double the lead.
The Lions finally succeeded to score in the eighth.
While the runners on the third and first, Lions slugger Choi Hyung-woo hit the RBI-single for a 2-1 trail but it was all in vain to change the result.
