The Samsung Lions hosted the KT Wiz on Saturday in Game 4 of the Korean Series, holding a 2-1 series lead.
Needing a bounce-back performance after two straight losses, the Wiz jumped ahead in the top of the first inning, just as they did in Game 3. Jin-hyuk Jang, the second batter of the game, hit a solo home run over the right-field fence to give the Wiz an early 1-0 lead.
The Lions answered just as they did in Game 3. With runners on first and second and two outs in the bottom of the first, Lewin Díaz grounded a ball through the infield for a single to tie the game at 1. Young-woong Kim followed with a single of his own to give the Lions a 2-1 lead.
Two batters later, Ji-hyuk Ryu was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score another run. No. 9 hitter Do-hwan Kim then lifted a routine fly ball to right field that Hyun-min Ahn misplayed, resulting in a double that scored three runs and extended the lead to 6-1.
The Lions took control with a six-run first inning. Wiz starter Logan Allen endured his worst start of the year at the worst possible time. It was the first time all season he had allowed six runs and the first time he had pitched fewer than three innings. Allen lasted just one inning.
Samsung extended its lead in the third when Seung-kyu Park hit a single off the shortstop’s glove to make it 7-1.
After their bats had gone quiet, the Wiz put together a threat in the fifth. After loading the bases with no outs, the Wiz scored three runs on a groundout and three consecutive walks issued to Hyun-min Ahn, Sam Hilliard and Hyun-so Kim to cut the deficit to 7-4. The Wiz drew five walks in the inning, and only one ball left the infield.
With the tying run at first base, Chan-seung Bae entered the game in the biggest moment of the afternoon. He recorded a strikeout and a popout to strand the bases loaded and preserve the Lions’ 7-4 lead.
After escaping the top of the fifth with the lead intact, the Lions’ offense went back to work in the bottom half. With two runners on and two outs, Seung-kyu Park delivered his second hit of the game, a two-run double off the left-field wall, to extend the lead to 9-4.
The Lions added an insurance run in the seventh on Ja-wook Koo’s RBI double to make it 10-4.
Pinch hitter Min-hyuck Kim homered in the eighth to cut the deficit to 10-5, but the Wiz would get no closer.
Seung-min Lee entered for the Lions in the ninth and retired the Wiz to secure a 10-5 victory.
The Lions have won three straight games and will have a chance to clinch their first Korean Series championship since 2014 on Sunday.
In Game 5, the Wiz will turn to Davis Daniel in a do-or-die matchup. Daniel started Game 1, pitching six innings with seven strikeouts while allowing three runs.
The Samsung Lions will counter with Tae-in Won. The right-hander posted a 4.52 ERA in 145 1/3 innings during the regular season, recording 117 strikeouts.
Won transitioned to the bullpen during the postseason, allowing one run in 3 2/3 innings. He will now return to the starting rotation to pitch in the biggest game of his career as he looks to bring a championship back to Samsung.