Designated hitter delivers clutch knocks to keep Tigers alive in KBO postseason

GWANGJU, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- With two of the biggest hits of his career, Kia Tigers designated hitter Han Jun-su kept his club alive in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason Friday.

Han had both the game-tying single and then the go-ahead single, as the Tigers beat the Samsung Lions 4-2 in Game 4 of the second round at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in the southwestern city of Gwangju.

The best-of-five series is now tied at two games apiece. The winner will be decided in Game 5 at 2 p.m. Sunday at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu.

The Lions were up 1-0 entering the bottom of the fourth, with starter Chris Paddack dealing on the mound. The Tigers had managed just one hit off the American right-hander through the first three frames.

But the Tigers finally got on the board in the fourth. A double and a hit-by-pitch had two runners aboard, and Han cashed in his team's first run with a single.

A solo home run by Choi Hyoung-woo put the Lions up 2-1 in the sixth, but the Tigers rallied for three runs in the seventh.

It all began with an error by Kim Young-woong, who let a grounder by Kim Do-yeong roll between his legs.

Harold Castro delivered the game-tying single, setting the stage for Han's heroics three batters later.

With the count full against reliever Lee Jae-hee, Han poked a single to right, just underneath the glove of first baseman Lewin Diaz, to put the Tigers ahead 3-2.

Ha Ju-suk's follow-up single pushed that lead to 4-2, and closer Jeon Sang-hyun made Han's hit stand as the game-winning single by getting the final six outs for the save.

Han batted 3-for-4 on Friday and is now hitting a robust .417 (5-for-12) for the series.

"I was looking for something on the inner part of the plate," Han said of his go-ahead hit. "I got a pitch right where I wanted it, and I was able to put a good swing on it."

A loss would have ended the Tigers' season at their own home park, and Han said that was not the way he wanted his year to finish.

"This could have been our final game of the year, and none of us wanted to have any regret at the end," Han said. "I think our focus was extra sharp today. Now that we have forced Game 5, losing is not an option for us."

Normally a catcher, Han has been splitting catching duties with Kim Tae-gun this postseason. When not catching, Han has either played as designated hitter or served as a pinch-hitting option off the bench.

Manager Lee Bum-ho is a big fan of Han's bat-to-ball skills. His presence is why the Tigers are carrying three catchers in this series so that Lee can have both Kim and Han in the lineup.

Kim has been doing his part as an experienced game caller behind the dish, and Han has been wielding a hot bat -- an ideal situation for the Tigers given their current roster construction.

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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