Samsung Lions first baseman Lewin Diaz leads all gamers within the second spherical of the Korea Baseball Group postseason with three residence runs in three video games, however he could not hit one out Thursday in opposition to his former main league teammate now pitching for his playoff opponent, the LG Twins.
LG Twins reliever Elieser Hernandez threw 3 2/3 shutout innings to earn a save within the Twins’ 1-0 win in Sport 3 of this best-of-five collection at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Thursday. He retired Diaz in each at-bats, getting him to fly out to left within the sixth and floor right into a fielder’s selection within the eighth.
Hernandez has but to surrender a run in 11 innings in six outings to this point this postseason.
Diaz mentioned Friday, moments after Sport 4 at Jamsil was rained out, that he already knew how good Hernandez is as a result of they have been teammates on the Miami Marlins from 2020 to 2022.
“That is good for him,” Diaz mentioned of his buddy’s success. “I do know he is on one other group, however I’m glad he is doing properly proper now.”
However Diaz additionally mentioned he might be prepared subsequent time he faces Hernandez.
“Outdoors the park, we’re mates. Contained in the park, we’re enemies,” Diaz mentioned with a smile. “Subsequent time I will see him, possibly I am going to simply attempt to hit a house run.”
Diaz practically had a few residence runs in Thursday’s sport, however his towering fly balls within the second and once more within the fourth inning each hooked foul. The second ball was shut sufficient that the Lions challenged the foul name, however replays confirmed the unique resolution.
“The primary one, I knew it was going to be foul instantly. However the second, I believed it was going to be possibly a house run,” Diaz mentioned, including that his teammates reminded him that if the sport had been at their hitter-friendly residence stadium, Daegu Samsung Lions Park, the second would have hit the foul pole for the homer.
Diaz mentioned regardless of his prodigious energy, he would not consciously attempt to hit residence runs.
“In postseason video games, I simply attempt to be on base each time. I do not take into consideration hitting homers and being a hero,” he mentioned. “I attempt to get on base for my teammates.”
Friday marked the second rain-induced postponement of this collection. It might throw gamers off their rhythm, however Diaz mentioned the disruption in schedule would not change his preparation.
“I simply went to the cage immediately and tried to be prepared for tomorrow,” he mentioned. “Typically, it’s essential breathe a bit of bit. Although we simply misplaced, we are going to attempt to win with the identical mentality tomorrow. We’ll attempt to overlook concerning the final sport and end the collection tomorrow.” (Yonhap)
