Samsung Lions Fall Short in Close Contest at NC Dinos
CHANGWON — The Samsung Lions came up just short on Wednesday night, dropping a 3-2 decision to the NC Dinos in a tightly contested matchup that came down to fundamentals and timely hitting. Won Tae-in took the loss despite a solid outing on the mound, while the Dinos’ bullpen held firm when it mattered most to secure the victory.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| NC Dinos | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
This was the kind of game that gets decided by inches and execution. The Dinos struck first, scoring a run in the opening inning on a ground ball that moved a runner into scoring position. It wasn’t flashy baseball, but it was effective—the kind of small-ball approach that keeps teams in ballgames over the long haul.
Samsung answered back in the sixth inning when Diaz connected on his 19th home run of the season, a two-run blast off Toda that suddenly put the Lions ahead 2-1. The shot looked like it might be the turning point, giving Samsung momentum heading into the latter stages of the game. But in baseball, momentum is fragile.
The real damage came later, though, when the Lions couldn’t capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Multiple runners were left stranded at crucial junctures. More tellingly, Samsung grounded into three double plays—twice in the middle innings when they had chances to extend their lead, and again when they desperately needed a clutch hit. Those double plays proved to be the difference between winning and losing on a night when runs were at a premium.
Pitching Performance
Won Tae-in delivered a competitive performance for Samsung, working seven innings and allowing just six hits while giving up all three runs that the Dinos would need. He wasn’t sharp throughout, issuing four walks, but he kept the Lions in the game despite limited run support. Im Ki-young came in for the final inning and retired the side without incident, but by then the damage was done.
The Dinos’ pitching staff was less efficient but more opportunistic. Toda went 5⅓ innings and got the win, allowing five hits and two runs while walking three. He benefited from the grinding relief work that followed. Bae Jae-hwan, Lee Yong-jun, and Son Ju-hwan each pitched in order, keeping Samsung off the board once the Dinos regained the lead. Jeon Sa-min closed things out for the save, retiring the Lions in order in the ninth without allowing a baserunner.
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Lions | ||||||
| Won Tae-in [L] | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Im Ki-young | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| NC Dinos | ||||||
| Toda [W] | 5 ⅓ | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Bae Jae-hwan [H] | 0 ⅔ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lee Yong-jun [H] | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Shin Young-woo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Son Ju-hwan [H] | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Jeon Sa-min [S] | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Offensive Highlights
The Lions’ offense showed some promise but ultimately lacked consistency. Kim Ji-chan led the way with two hits in five at-bats, working the count and creating some early pressure. Ryu Ji-hyeok also went 2-for-3 with a stolen base that showed aggression on the basepaths, though he was stranded in the process.
Diaz’s solo blast was Samsung’s most impressive offensive moment—a no-doubt shot that momentarily shifted the game’s momentum. But one swing couldn’t overcome the team’s inability to string together hits when runners were in scoring position.
On the Dinos side, Choi Jeong-won went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs, an exceptional night at the plate that helped secure the victory. Kim Ju-won contributed two hits and a stolen base, and while Park Min-woo didn’t record a hit, his sacrifice fly in the first inning proved to be the game-winner—a valuable contribution in a game decided by a single run.
| Batter | AB | H | R | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Lions | |||||
| Kim Ji-chan | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Diaz | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Ryu Ji-hyeok | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NC Dinos | |||||
| Kim Joo-won | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Choi Jung-won | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Park Min-woo | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Cheon Jae-hwan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Key Play
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the first inning. With one out and a runner on third, Park Min-woo hit a ground ball to the shortstop that moved the runner home. It was elementary baseball—not a home run, not a line drive, just a ground ball that moved the baserunner 90 feet. In a game ultimately decided 3-2, that run mattered. The Lions never recovered from starting in a hole, and despite their sixth-inning home run, they couldn’t quite catch up.
Standings Impact
The loss drops Samsung to 65-44 on the season, maintaining their hold on second place in the standings. The Lions still have 27 games remaining and remain well-positioned for a playoff spot. However, games like this—winnable contests left on the table—add up quickly as the season winds down.
For the Dinos, the victory improves them to 48-56, though they remain in eighth place. This win provides some momentum as NC continues to search for consistency down the stretch. The teams will face off again soon, and Samsung will be looking for revenge while the Dinos hope to carry this positive result into their next matchup.