The Samsung Lions and KIA Tigers met Friday with the Lions holding a 2-1 series lead and a chance to punch their ticket to the Korean Series for the first time since 2024. The Tigers needed a victory to send the series back to Daegu for a decisive Game 5 on Sunday.
The Lions sent their ace, Chris Paddack, to the mound on three days’ rest. James Naile also started on three days’ rest for KIA.
The Lions struck first in their bid to clinch the series. After putting two runners on with one out following a defensive blunder, Ji-hyuk Ryu made the Tigers pay with a single to right field that gave Samsung a 1-0 lead. With runners on second and third and two outs, Naile recorded a crucial strikeout to limit the damage.
Samsung threatened again in the top of the fourth, putting runners on the corners with one out while looking to extend its 1-0 lead. Naile responded with a strikeout and a flyout to keep the deficit at one.
After retiring nine of the first 10 batters through three innings, the Tigers finally got to Paddack in the fourth. Superstar Do-yeong Kim doubled to lead off the inning, and with two outs, Jun-su Han singled to tie the game at 1.
With the game tied after five innings, the Tigers turned to their bullpen. With Naile out of the game, the Lions took advantage. With one out, Hyoung-woo Choi hit a go-ahead solo home run to give Samsung a 2-1 lead.
The Tigers threatened in the sixth, putting runners on second and third with one out against Paddack, who was then pulled from the game. Seung-min Lee entered and recorded a groundout before getting a flyout with the bases loaded to preserve the 2-1 lead.
Pitching on three days’ rest, Paddack finished with 5 1/3 innings, six strikeouts and one earned run allowed on 99 pitches in a clutch postseason performance.
Do-yeong Kim reached on an error to start the Tigers’ rally in the bottom of the seventh with one out. Harold Castro followed and continued his strong postseason, delivering a single to left field that scored Kim and tied the game.
After a strikeout, the next three Tigers batters singled. Jun-su Han and Ju-suk Ha each delivered RBI singles to give KIA a 4-2 lead.
Tigers closer Sang-hyun Jeon entered in the eighth and retired the final six batters he faced. The game ended with Do-yeong Kim making a diving stop for the final out.
KIA won 4-2 to force a decisive Game 5, with a berth in the Korean Series on the line. The Samsung Lions will host Sunday’s matchup in Daegu.
The winner will travel to Suwon on Tuesday to face the KT Wiz. The Korean Series was originally scheduled to begin Nov. 2 but has been postponed by 24 hours after the Tigers forced a fifth game.
Adam Oller will start Game 5 for the Tigers. He allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings in Game 2. Ariel Jurado will get the ball for Samsung. Jurado started Game 2 and pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and striking out three in the Lions’ 8-3 victory. It was his first career postseason win.