Coach Kim Jong-kook remains optimistic about their chances of achieving 5th place

The Kia Tigers won 2-1 against the Samsung Lions at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on Aug. 8. It was their second straight win and kept their top-five hopes alive.

NC’s upset loss to SSG on the same day dropped them to fifth place, and KIA moved to within three games of NC.

Rookie Yoon Young-cheol’s six innings of one-run ball was the key to the victory. At the plate, 온라인카지노 Han Jun-soo hit a leadoff single against nemesis Taylor Widener, and pinch-hitter Kim Tae-gun hit a sacrifice fly to right field with one out in the eighth inning.

Closer Jung Hae-young gave up a hit and a walk in the ninth to put runners on second and third, but induced the final batter, Kim Dong-yeop, to fly out to third base to preserve the win. It was the first time the Tigers have reached the 20-save plateau for three straight years.

“We had some difficulties with the starting pitcher, but I think the fact that we took advantage of our chances and scored runs in scoring position was the driving force behind today’s victory,” said manager Kim Jong-kook after the game.

“Yoon Young-cheol was able to go a long inning with minimal runs, which helped ease the burden on the bullpen. I would like to praise the bullpen for keeping the game scoreless and securing the victory,” he added, applauding the pitching staff.

He also had a strong message for his team about not giving up on the fight for the top five. “The players are not giving up. I think it’s great that so many fans came to the ballpark to cheer them on as the battle for the top spot is intense. We will play a winning game tomorrow,” he promised.