In brief
In Game 1 of the Korean Series, KT Wiz’s closer Park Yeong‑hyun turned a potential collapse into a pinch‑saving 8‑7 victory over the Samsung Lions by relying on self‑belief and catcher Han Seung‑taek’s support, after relievers faltered and the Lions closed the lead in the seventh.
KT Wiz’s closer Park Yeong‑hyun said his belief in himself and his catcher proved decisive after relievers faltered and the game turned into a thriller, as reported by Yonhap on Tuesday night in Suwon.
The game began comfortably for Wiz, who led 8‑0 after six innings. Park’s number one routine had him in the bullpen warming up, ready for a possible save. In the seventh, the Samsung Lions managed a five‑run run, and another ran in a single in the eighth, bringing the score to 8‑6 with the bases loaded.
When Park entered, his first pitch to Ryu Ji‑hyuk missed the zone. The next delivered a flyball, but the runner at third, Koo Ja‑wook, could not sprint home, keeping the score unchanged. Two outs later, Park threw a wild pitch that allowed Koo to score the Lions’ seventh run. “I was feeling pretty good after the second out… the wild pitch was a wake‑up call,” Park said according to Yonhap.
After regaining composure, Park recorded the final out and sealed an 8‑7 win. In a statement reported by Yonhap, he praised his mental toughness and emphasized the catcher’s steady presence. “No one can tell what will happen over the course of a game,” Park said, stressing that sticking to routine and his own confidence were key to turning the situation off the rails.
