With further disruption in Korean Series, managers prioritize ideal conditions for players

With yet another set of postseason games postponed Tuesday due to inclement weather, Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man said Tuesday it was important to create conditions in which players can compete without fear of injury. Game 1 of the Korean Series between the Lions and the Kia Tigers was suspended on a rainy Monday night, with the Lions leading 1-0 in the top of the sixth inning at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, some 270 kilometers south of Seoul. Kim Hun-gon had homered off James Naile to lead off that inning only minutes before the suspensionThe game was originally scheduled to resume at 4 p.m. Tuesday, followed by the second game the same evening. However, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) decided to push both games to Wednesday in Gwangju. The league said it would take several hours to get the playing surface ready for the first game and did not want to risk having the second game also suspended with more rain forecast in the southern city later in the evening. After the game was suspen ded with his team in the lead and having two runners aboard, Lions manager Park Jin-man had sounded off on the KBO's decision to start the game at all despite the forecast for heavy showers. He also felt aggrieved that he had to waste a near-flawless start by right-hander Won Tae-in, who held the Tigers to just two hits in five shutout innings but will not be available when the suspended game restarts. At a press conference following the league's decision to postpone Tuesday's games, Park said he had been frustrated the previous night because some of his players were banged up and he felt they were at risk of further injury on the wet and muddy field. "I just think it's fortunate that both teams came out last night without anyone getting hurt," Park said. In the previous postseason round against the LG Twins, the Lions played their four games every other day due to two rain-induced postponements. These delays can be a double-edged sword, as pitchers can get extra rest while hitters can be thrown off their rhythm. But Park said he didn't want to speculate whether multiple days of delay would benefit his team or his opponent. "I think it's more important to create a situation where players can compete on normal field conditions," he said. "As we prepare for the upcoming games, we won't be thinking about how the delay can help us or hurt us." Park's counterpart, Lee Bum-ho, echoed the sentiment. "There's nothing we can do about the ground conditions and the weather," Lee said. "We shouldn't be affected by this too much. We just have to adjust to the situation going forward." Fans braving wet conditions Monday night were treated to a pitching duel between the two starters, Won and Naile. Won kept the Tigers hitters off balance all game with his mix of fastballs, sliders and changeups. Naile leaned on his signature pitch, sweeper, to strike out six batters through five before serving up the homer in the sixth. And with an extra day of rest, both starters may be back for Game 4, now scheduled for Saturday at t he Lions' home, Daegu Samsung Lions Park. Won made 66 pitches Monday and Naile threw 76. "He threw fewer than 70 pitches, and he can definitely pitch again on four days' rest," Park said. Lee, whose presser was held an hour before Park's, also hinted that Naile would be available if the situation called for it. "We believe Won Tae-in will start Game 4, given that he only threw 66 pitches last night," Lee said. "We will monitor Naile's condition. We will make a decision on him depending on the other team's starter for that game." Source: Yonhap News Agency