With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, KIA Park Chan-ho's first foul, Samsung manager Park Jin-man's inner thoughts
Oct 25, 2024
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The Samsung Lions won their first victory over the KIA Tigers after two consecutive losses in the Korean Series. Samsung beat KIA 4-2 in Game 3 of the 2024 Korean Series at Daegu Lions Park on the 25th. Starting pitcher Denny Reyes threw 107 pitches, setting the stage for victory as he pitched a quality start plus (more than seven innings, less than three earned runs) in seven innings. In the batting lineup, four home runs, including Lee Sung-kyu in the bottom of the third inning and Kim Young-woong in the bottom of the fifth inning, Kim Hun-gon and Park Byung-ho's back-to-back shot in the bottom of the seventh inning, showed off their strength as the team's No. 1 home run (185) team this season. Samsung, which lost both the first and second games of the Korean Series in Gwangju earlier, smiled for the first time in a long time as it caught a rebound clue.
-The general evaluation of the game is.
▶I was worried about the batting line, but the players who had to hit in Daegu were able to win by taking advantage of the strength of home runs. I think this series will be more fun in the future. The lineup showed a sense of revitalization. Reyes threw it so well. As with Won Tae-in tomorrow, he was so stable that he felt like he would win unconditionally if he went out. Prepare for a good flow as much as you've rebounded.
-He took the mound himself in the top of the ninth inning.
▶I didn't talk much. I felt like I was being chased. I wanted to cut off a tempo. 'Throw it confidently because it's a good ball,' he said, but his inner mind was 'It shouldn't be hit' (laughs). I tried to comfort the players. Maybe you didn't hear it.
-It would have been dizzying when Park Chan-ho's ball was declared a foul.
▶I was very surprised (laughs). If it became a pair, it could be reversed. The first pitch was like that, which made me dizzy.
-I think he would have thought about replacing Reyes ahead of the seventh inning.
▶I thought about it. He could have pitched, but he judged that the ball was okay. First, I put it on the 7th and looked at the situation, so I tried to change it before I went over 110. Left-hander Lee Seung-hyun also prepared, but he finished well. I think I was able to go more comfortably.
-I think Park Byung-ho will be more comfortable with a home run.
▶I hope you continue to hit with a good balance with that home run. If you are in a slump, you can improve your batting balance with a missed hit or home run. I hope the home run will help restore balance.
-There were many home runs with long distance. What is the difference between Gwangju and Daegu.
▶In Gwangju, I felt a little daunted, but Daegu is home, so I feel like the batters are confident.
-I made a change in the lineup today, but will there be another change tomorrow.
▶I think there will be about one person in the lineup even if there is a change. I think we need to think about how to change the batting order before tomorrow's game.
-Kim Hun-gon showed good performance in offense and defense.
▶ It is a lion that catches a tiger. Perhaps Kia's most feared hitter (laughs). KIA's batting line is evenly split, but we relatively do not. I think Kim Heon-gon is the most threatening person.
-The bullpen blocked it, so I'm happy and worried.
▶ Lim Chang-min and Kim Jae-yoon defended well. Lim Chang-min had a difficult situation in Gwangju, but he is a must-winner to trust and send out. You have to trust and send it out in the rest of the series.
-What is the selection scenario for Game 5.
▶I haven't thought of that yet (laughs). I think they'll probably put all the bullpen in. It's a situation where we have to go to bullpen day. The starter is Reyes Wontae, and the rest must be split and thrown. Game 5 requires using all of the bullpen. There was a dizzying moment in the second round of Gwangju, but I think we should make a judgment faster than then.
ppark@sportschosun.com
