Doosan Bears finished their 9-game series with a record of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses.
Doosan secured a comeback victory of 5-2 against LG in a game held at Seoul's Jamsil Stadium on the 7th. They succeeded in winning the 3-game series against their 'Jamsil rivals' LG.
As a result, Doosan started the 9-game series precariously, losing 1 draw and 2 losses to KT, but achieved a 2 wins and 1 loss victory over Samsung and also succeeded in a 2 wins and 1 loss victory against LG, recording a total of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses.
Doosan starting pitcher Jack Log pitched 7 innings (96 pitches) allowing 5 hits, 1 walk, striking out 7, and giving up 2 runs to earn the win. In the lineup, Kang Seung-ho had a strong performance with 2 doubles, going 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs. Yang Seok-hwan recorded 2 hits in 3 at-bats, with 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Closer Kim Taek-yeon came in with 2 outs on 1st and 2nd base in the 8th inning leading 5-2 and recorded a 4-out save.
Log allowed 2 runs in the 3rd inning after giving up a timely hit to Park Dong-won with 2 outs and 3rd base, and a double to Moon Bo-gyeong down the left field line.
Doosan struggled to attack LG's substitute starter Choi Chae-hung until the 4th inning. Trailing 0-2, they capitalized in the 5th inning with no outs and 1st and 2nd base when Kang Seung-ho's 1-RBI double chased Choi from the game. Manager Lee Seung-yeop's aggressive strategy paid off.
Kang Seung-ho explained after the game, "(Starting pitcher Choi Chae-hung) during the pre-game analysis, I found that he tends to throw a lot of breaking balls and works outside. I thought it was 100% going to be a bunt situation when I approached the plate. I assumed the opposing team would think I was going to bunt and throw a fastball. I was expecting a fastball for the first pitch and confidently sent it away."
Former home run king and manager Lee Seung-yeop has a strong tendency to call for small ball in key situations. Manager Lee Seung-yeop is showing a style different from his own during his playing days. Although they trailed by 2 runs, the players thought a 100% bunt sign would be called, but the manager pushed aggressively. Doosan fell behind 1-2 and couldn't capitalize on a chance with no outs and 2nd and 3rd base.
However, they seized another good opportunity in the 6th inning. With consecutive hits by Cave and Yang Eui-ji, and a walk by Kim Jae-hwan, they created a no outs bases loaded situation. Yang Seok-hwan's infield hit brought the game to a 2-2 tie. Oh Myung-jin drew a walk off the new pitcher Kim Gang-ryul to bring the score to 3-2. Kang Seung-ho then hit a 2-RBI double that snuck past first base to extend the lead to 5-2.
After the game, Kang Seung-ho said, "Since brother Gang-ryul knows me well, I thought a slider would come on the first pitch, so I was targeting it, but a fastball came inside. My hand moved unconsciously, but it resulted in a good outcome."
Doosan concluded the 9-game series with a record of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses. Kang Seung-ho noted, "Although it didn't meet expectations, we defended somewhat effectively despite some shortcomings," adding, "Last year, we struggled against Samsung and LG. I don’t think we can say we are satisfied against those teams, but I believe we did defend ourselves to some extent."
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