SEOUL: The Samsung Lions clinched their place in the Korean Series for the first time in nearly a decade, defeating the defending champions, LG Twins, 1-0 in a tense game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. This victory wrapped up the best-of-five Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason series in four games.
According to Yonhap News Agency, veteran catcher Kang Min-ho provided the crucial breakthrough with a solo home run in the eighth inning, following a masterful performance by starting pitcher Denyi Reyes, who delivered seven scoreless innings. The Lions, as the No. 2 seed, are now poised to challenge the top-seeded Kia Tigers in the Korean Series, which is set to commence on Monday in Gwangju.
The Samsung Lions, who dominated the Korean Series from 2011 to 2014 with four consecutive titles, have not reached this stage since losing to the Doosan Bears in 2015. Their current postseason journey marks only their second appearance since then. The elimination of the Twins ensures a new KBO champion for the eight
h year running, a streak that began after the Bears’ consecutive championships in 2015 and 2016.
Reyes, instrumental in both Game 1 and the decisive Game 4, was named the series MVP. His stellar performance included just one earned run over 13 2/3 innings, yielding an impressive ERA of 0.66. The media awarded him 42 out of 55 MVP votes, with Kang Min-ho receiving seven votes.
The game was a showcase of pitching prowess, with Dietrich Enns of the Twins also delivering a strong performance. Enns held the Lions hitless through four innings, managing five strikeouts despite allowing a few walks. It was not until Kim Young-woong’s single in the fifth inning that the Lions recorded a hit.
Reyes, while not as overpowering, was equally effective, aided by robust defensive plays from his team. Notably, Kang Min-ho threw out a potential base stealer, and first baseman Lewin Diaz made a crucial catch in foul territory. Reyes managed to navigate through potential trouble in the sixth inning, thanks to a double play th
at ended a Twins rally attempt.
In the eighth inning, with Enns having been replaced, Kang Min-ho capitalized on a pitch from reliever Son Ju-young to hit the game-winning home run. Despite the Lions loading the bases in the ninth, they could not add to their lead. However, closer Kim Jae-yun efficiently closed out the game, ensuring the Lions’ advance to the Korean Series with a succinct six-pitch effort in the final inning.
For Kang, this upcoming Korean Series will be a career milestone, as it marks his first appearance after playing a record 2,369 regular-season games without reaching this stage.