(LEAD) Dream postseason continues for Lions outfielder with clutch hit

By Yoo Jee-ho

GWANGJU, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- A dream postseason continued Thursday night for Samsung Lions outfielder Park Seung-kyu as he came through with a clutch hit to put his team on the cusp of a series victory.

Behind Park's go-ahead single in the top of the seventh inning, the Lions held off the Kia Tigers 6-4 in Game 3 of the best-of-five second round in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.

The Lions lead the series 2-1 and can finish off the Tigers in Game 4 at 6:30 p.m. Friday, back in this southwestern city of Gwangju.

Game 3 was a seesaw match. A two-run home run by Lewin Diaz in the top of the first gave the Lions a 2-0 lead, but the Tigers scored twice to pull even in the second.

The two teams then traded three more home runs, as the score was tied at 4-4 entering the seventh.

Park stepped in against reliever Cho Sang-woo with two outs and a runner at second. After taking the first pitch for a ball, Park drove the next pitch to the gap in right-center field for the go-ahead double.

It was Park's second double and third RBI of this series.

Prior to this year, Park had made just one plate appearance in a postseason game in 2021. He was a fringe player then and remained so over the next few seasons.

Park had his breakout campaign this year, setting career highs with 106 games played, 13 home runs and 47 RBIs. And after earning a starting opportunity in the postseason, Park has run away with it.

"We have so many experienced veterans, and they have been giving me really great advice," Park said. "They said I should try to enjoy the experience and not be afraid of failure."

Park has also injected some energy into the team with his exuberant, over-the-top celebrations -- though one such celebration nearly cost him Thursday.

After reaching second base on that double, Park pumped his fists and screamed toward his dugout, and lost track of the ball as the throw from the outfield sailed into foul territory. Park could have taken third on the play, and during the ensuing pitching change, Park got an earful from his coaches.

It all became moot when the next batter, Koo Ja-wook, singled to right field and Park scored easily from second to make it a 6-4 game.

"I got carried away in that moment, and I didn't see the play developing," Park said of his miscue. "When I end up in another situation like that, I will make sure I will see the play through the end before celebrating anything. My teammates said I should pay a fine, and I gladly offered to buy them coffee tomorrow."

The Lions bullpen took care of the rest, as Park's go-ahead hit stood as the game-winning knock.

Park had just one hit in five at-bats Thursday, but it was a big one. He is batting .300 with three RBIs in this series.

Park will be a candidate for the series MVP honor if he keeps it up, but the player himself said he is happy to remain in the background.

"I am only thinking about doing the best I can wherever I play," he said. "I have such great teammates surrounding me, and I love playing in the supporting role for them."