Diaz’s 2-HR, 5-RBI Show
The Samsung Lions beat the Kiwoom Heroes 6-4 in a home game at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 11th. Foreign hitter Lewin Diaz started at first base batting fifth and went 3-for-3 with two home runs and five RBIs to lead the win. He opened the scoring with a three-run homer in the first inning and added a solo shot in the sixth, when Samsung’s lead had narrowed to 4-3. In the eighth, he added a run-scoring double for his fifth RBI of the day. Manager Park Jin-man said afterward, “It was a game where Diaz solved everything himself — you could call it ‘Diaz’s Day.’” Diaz, who had been struggling with stress in recent weeks, smiled and said, “I think today’s game will be a turning point.”
Source: OSEN
Choi Dong-won Day, Lotte Falls
The KT Wiz beat the Lotte Giants 7-1 on the road at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 11th, extending their winning streak to four games. Lotte held a memorial ceremony that day marking the 15th anniversary of the death of club legend Choi Dong-won, and starter Kim Jin-wook — a past winner of the high school award named for Choi — took the mound but allowed 3 runs over 5 innings on 4 hits and 4 walks and took the loss. KT’s offense was led by Sam Hilliard, who drove in two runs on a double, while An Hyun-min reached base on a single and a walk. With the win, KT improved to 73 wins and remained locked in a first-place race with Samsung with no games separating the two teams. Lotte’s bats stayed quiet as the team also committed costly errors in a listless performance.
Source: OSEN
Yang Hyeon-jong’s 197th Win, Park Jae-hyun’s Go-Ahead Homer
The KIA Tigers beat the SSG Landers 5-2 at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 11th, snapping a three-game losing streak. Trailing 2-0, KIA tied the game in the third on a double by Castro and a sacrifice fly from Na Sung-bum. In the fifth, Park Jae-hyun — starting at No. 3 in place of the injured Kim Do-young, who is out with a fractured nasal bone — blasted a go-ahead solo homer to right field, his 17th of the season, to put KIA ahead for good. Starter Yang Hyeon-jong pitched 5⅓ innings allowing 2 runs for his 11th win of the season and 197th career win. Kwak Do-gyu took over from the eighth inning to secure the save, and KIA closed to within half a game of third-place LG.
Source: OSEN
Park Min-woo’s 3 Hits, 3 RBIs Power NC Slugfest Win
The NC Dinos beat the Hanwha Eagles 9-7 at Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon on the 11th to extend their winning streak to three games, in a back-and-forth slugfest that saw both teams tie and take the lead three times each. Second baseman Park Min-woo went 3-for-3 with a walk for a perfect on-base day, driving in three runs and scoring twice to lead the win. In the fifth, his single set up a go-ahead two-run homer from Blaine, and in the eighth, with the bases loaded and no outs, his sacrifice fly and a two-run single from Park Kun-woo sealed the victory. With the win, NC extended its hot streak to 10 wins in its last 12 games, closing to within three games of fifth-place Doosan.
Source: OSEN
Kim Do-young Returns to Team After Nasal Surgery
KIA Tigers star Kim Do-young returned to Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 11th right after being discharged from the hospital. Kim suffered a fractured nasal bone on the 9th when he was hit in the face by a foul ball while attempting a bunt against NC, and immediately underwent a procedure to stabilize the fracture. Manager Lee Bum-ho said, “He looks good and says he’s feeling fine,” leaving open the possibility that Kim could return to the lineup against Hanwha on the 13th, with a final decision to come after monitoring his training. The club plans to share the medical staff’s assessment with the national team as well; if there are no issues with his condition, he is expected to join the Asian Games squad on the 14th without disruption.
Source: OSEN
NC Signs Clevinger as Injury Replacement
The NC Dinos officially announced on the 12th that they have signed right-hander Mike Clevinger as a six-week replacement for injured foreign pitcher Curtis Taylor. The deal is worth $75,000. Clevinger, a veteran who went 60-44 with a 3.55 ERA over 164 games (142 starts) across nine major league seasons, throws a fastball averaging 152 km/h to go with a changeup, cutter and sweeper. “I’m excited to join the team at such an important point in the season. I’ll do my best to help the team make the playoffs,” he said. Clevinger is set to arrive in Korea through Incheon International Airport on the 13th and join the team on the 15th.
Source: OSEN