Samsung coach Park Jin-man praises Hurado loudly, “Thanks to Hurado”

(Daegu = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Kyung-yoon = “Hurado…. Hurado…. Hurado….”

Manager Park Jin-man of the Samsung Lions, who won Game 3 of the 2026 Professional Baseball Korean Series (4 wins out of 7, KS), mentioned countless times the name of foreign starting pitcher Ariel Jurado, who pitched a fight by allowing 1 run in 7 innings.

After winning 5-1 in the KS 3rd game against KT Wiz at home at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 6th, Coach Park praised, "Hurado lasted until the 7th inning in his 3rd postseason appearance," and "Thanks to Hurado, we were able to win."

He continued, “I was worried when Hurado got hit in the hand by a batted ball in the 6th inning, but he said he could throw more,” and “I was hoping he would throw it, but he blocked it until the 7th inning. Thanks to that, bullpen management was easy.”

He also said, "Actually, because there were a lot of pitches in the beginning of today's game, I thought he would finish pitching around the 6th inning, but he continued to give his strength. Thanks to Hurado, the entire team is having a positive impact by not using many bullpen pitchers. I think we need to do something after the season ends."

In the second game of the playoffs (PO) against the KIA Tigers on the 27th of last month, Jurado led the victory by throwing 108 pitches and allowing 2 runs in 6⅔ innings, and in the 5th game of PO on the 1st of this month, when he took the mound after a four-day break, he threw 95 pitches and became the winning pitcher with 1 run (non-earned run) in 7 innings.

After receiving the PO Most Valuable Player Award (MVP), he took the mound again on this day after a four-day break and threw 108 pitches over 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 6 strikeouts, and 1 run.

In fact, Director Park Jin-man has been praising Jurado for his dedication since last year.

After the KT game on July 26 last year, he drew attention by taking off his hat and bowing his head to Rado after he had won a shutout.

When asked about this, Coach Park smiled and said, “A shutout win is great, but pitching until the 7th inning in 3 consecutive postseason games is even more amazing,” adding, “I’m more grateful now than then.”

Samsung won the game on this day, improving its record against its opponents to 2 wins and 1 loss, greatly increasing its chances of winning.

Samsung will nominate rookie Jang Chan-hee as the starter for the 4th game between KT and KS, which will be held at the same venue on the 7th.

Manager Park Jin-man said, “Jang Chan-hee threw well and energetically from the bullpen in Game 1,” and added, “He pitched as a starter during the season. If Jang Chan-hee cannot throw for a long time, we plan to mobilize all of the bullpen.”

When asked about the bullpen operation, he explained, "We couldn't decide on the finish because Won Tae-in had to start the 5th game," and "We plan to prepare the bullpen depending on the opponent's lineup and situation."

Lastly, he pledged, “Our team is one win ahead, but we must not let our guard down,” and “I will just do my best to continue this atmosphere.”