“I think this three-game series will be the most important game.”
The Doosan Bears begin a three-game series against the KIA Tigers at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on April 15.
After 119 games, Doosan is in sixth place with 61 wins, 1 draw and 57 losses. Kia is in fourth place with 60 wins, 2 draws and 54 losses. Both teams are separated by one game. Depending on the outcome of the three-game series, the standings could change.
Both Doosan and Kia have a lot to play for in the standings. In the starting battle, Doosan has the edge. Doosan will use their 1-3 starters of Brandon Waddell, Raul Alcantara, and Guk-Bin. KIA will only use their domestic starters.
The mood is good for Doosan. Doosan is coming off a dramatic win against SSG Landers in Jamsil on April 14. Down 0-2, they scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the game.
Leadoff hitter Yang Seok-hwan opened the offense with a single, followed by a walk to Yang Ji. Kim Jae-hwan pinch-hit for Lee Yoo-chan and laid down a sacrifice bunt, and a wild pitch and a grounder by Kang Seung-ho brought in a run. After Kim In-tae drew a walk, Park Kye-beom singled to load the bases, and after a wild pitch tied the game, Heo Kyung-min came through with the game-winning hit.
“I left Heo Kyung-min at the end of the order, and I thought it was the right time, and I was ready to use it, and (Heo) did a great job as a captain,” Lee explained.
Lee continued, “I thought we wanted to win, but then (Yang) Seok-hwan walked and (Yang) Wi-ji went out with a good ball. I didn’t know what was going to happen if we got back-to-back hits, but I thought we could tie the game because we had gotten runs thanks to our opponent. The batter was (Kim) Jae-hwan, and it was right to leave him out, but I left him in scoring position and hoped for (Kang) Seung-ho. I think it was one of those days where the opponent threw a lot of strikes and I got lucky.”
Looking ahead to the three-game series against KIA, Doosan manager Lee Seung-yeop said, “Every series is important, but I think this three-game series will be the most important one. We want to show a good performance in the games where the 1-3 starters go out.”
He won’t be throwing ‘too much’ in the race for the top spot. “It’s only one game, so we shouldn’t worry about the game difference, and we should do what we’ve been doing since camp and play a good game,” Lee said, “The result will come later. I hope we can show a good performance.”메이저놀이터
Doosan’s starting lineup was Jung Soo-bin (center fielder), Kim Jae-ho (shortstop), Yang Seok-hwan (designated hitter), Yang Ji (catcher), Kim Jae-hwan (left fielder), Kang Seung-ho (first baseman), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Park Kye-beom (second baseman), and Cho Su-hyung (right fielder).