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Brisbane well-represented on Team Australia

The Brisbane Bandits have three players taking on the Sydney Blue Sox with the national team

By Alexis Brudnicki10/28/2012 5:25 AM ET
(Left to right) Justin Erasmus, Josh Roberts and Ryan Battaglia in Sydney with Team Australia

BRISBANE, Qld -

It's one thing to play for the Brisbane Bandits, but having the opportunity to represent an entire country is a whole other ball game.

Several of the Bandits have had the chance to do exactly that in recent days, and may have the potential to represent on an even bigger stage in the future.

Catcher Ryan Battaglia, right-hander Justin Erasmus, and outfielder Josh Roberts (ex-Indian) headed to Sydney on Friday morning to take on the Blue Sox in a weekend exhibition series as members of Team Australia. On Thursday, infielders Alan Schoenberger and Daniel Lamb-Hunt, and righty Andrew Marck took off for New Zealand in order to prepare for the team's berth in the World Baseball Classic qualifier.

The Brisbane baseball players are all hoping to take the field in March in the third WBC. For the weekend's members of Team Australia, the games against Sydney will serve as part of season-long evaluations for the team that will eventually head to the Classic. The Kiwis will have to qualify during their upcoming tournament in Taiwan in order to make it to March.

Erasmus had the chance to participate in the last WBC and is excited to get a shot at heading back. Not only does the Gold Coast native want to represent his country, but the exposure of playing on the international stage could potentially help his baseball career after being released by the Boston Red Sox organisation this winter.

"I played in the 2009 WBC with South Africa and obviously my goal ever since then was to play for Australia in the WBC," the South African-born pitcher said. "So potentially being on the roster right now and going away this weekend, it's a huge step for me.

"I had a pretty bad end to my career overseas so this is a huge step for me. I need to get my name out there. Obviously playing for Australia is my goal. It's going to be a huge honour and I would be extremely excited if I made the team."

The righty's Bandits teammates share his sentiment in wearing the Australian colours in the WBC. Roberts is excited at just getting a look to make the team and Battaglia is hoping to represent at the senior level for the first time.


"It means a lot to me to represent my country," the 20-year-old catcher said. "Just putting on the green-and-gold uniform is always something special. It's something I really am pushing towards to do." While playing for the Bandits is special, taking the field for Australia is certainly a different experience.

"It's incredible," Erasmus said. "When I played overseas for the Red Sox and when I play for the Bandits, it's like every game means something. But when you play for a country and you stand in your country's uniform for the national anthem and you're facing...the best of every country, it's a huge honour.

"It's a big accomplishment to be one of 18 players to represent your country. It comes down to every single pitch could change the game. It's just a totally different ball game and it's incredible."

Added Battaglia: "It's definitely more intense. You're playing for your country and not just your state, so you're representing the whole country of Australia."

Each of the Brisbane players in Sydney for the exhibition series has had a chance to wear the Aussie uniform before at varying levels. All three have career highlights with Team Australia, and are hoping to continue to make more memories.

"Obviously last year in the All-Star Game," Roberts said of his best Team Oz moment. "I had a home run to left field and I ended up throwing a guy out at the plate."

The Bandits two-time team MVP earned a well-deserved spot starting in right field for the inaugural Australian Baseball League All-Star Game last December. He impressed both at the plate and in the outfield, driving a long ball to the opposite end of the park and playing flawless defence in addition to his outfield assist.

Battaglia's favourite memory goes a little further back though.

"When I played on the Under-19 Australian team and we got a silver medal in the tournament," he said. "And then making the world team. That was one of my biggest achievements. That was good fun."

For Erasmus, this is his third time playing at the senior level for Australia after heading to Panama for the World Cup last year and participating in the All-Star festivities with Roberts last season.

"My best career moment would have to be when I went to Canada in 2007 and I threw in the semi-final against Canada, who was the No. 1 ranked team," the right-handed hurler said. "We were No. 4. I think I threw 7 1/3 [innings] with one run and two hits or something like that, and quite a few strikeouts."

The 22-year-old pitcher is looking forward to the upcoming Classic and believes that Australia has a chance to do well and impress at the international competition.

"It's going to be incredible," Erasmus said. "There are a lot of [Australian] guys in the big leagues right now. We've got quite a few guys up there; the ABL is in its third year, so it's going to get even stronger. I see Australia definitely getting through to the second round and then who knows from there. It comes down to every pitch...

"Australia's got a great chance with all the arms we've got and then there are so many bats coming through; young players, old players. It's going to be a good WBC."

Monday, October 29, 2012

Australia wins Series against Sydney Blue Sox

Team Australia kicks off preparations for the 2013 World Baseball Classic with Exhibition Series in Sydney

With the Australian Baseball League opening day right around the corner the Australian national team used the opportunity and played the Sydney Blue Sox in a three-game exhibition series this week.

The three-game set kicked off preparations for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where the team from Down Under faces IBAF Baseball World Cup winner Netherlands, Olympic Champion Korea and a qualifying team in the first round in Taichung.

Australia prevailed 2-1 in the series against the Blue Sox. In game one on Friday Australia won 5-3, claiming an early 4-0 lead after three innings en route to the victory. Sydney cut the lead to a run in the fifth, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

In game two on Saturday Australia needed a two-run walk-off single by national team rookie Daryl George in the ninth to win 4-3. The Blue Sox had led since scoring two runs in the sixth for a 3-2 lead. Zac Shepherd, who played at the IBAF 16U and 18U Baseball World Championships in the last two years, scored twice.

In game three on Sunday JD Williams manufactured a run in the seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie to give Sydney a 3-2 victory, avoiding the sweep against Australia. Luke Hughes and Daryl George drove in the two runs for the team of manager Jon Deeble.

The Australian Baseball League season 2012 starts on November 1.

Takuya Tsuchida - OF - Indians


Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians have signed Japanese outfielder Takuya Tsuchida.
Information on the 18-year-old is scarce, but Hoynes says he's "a left-handed hitter with speed and athleticism who can play several positions," with center field and second base being his best positions "right now." Tsuchida will go to spring training with the Indians' minor leaguers and seems to be a ways off from being big league-ready.

Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter Oct 29 - 11:21 PM

(Yonhap)

2012-10-25 15:09
Major Leaguer Choo Shin-soo hopes to join 'winning ball club'

A year away from free agency in Major League Baseball (MLB), Korean outfielder Choo Shin-soo of the Cleveland Indians said Thursday he'd like to "play for a winning ball club."

Upon returning home from the 2012 major league season earlier in the day, Choo said at a press conference here that if he could choose a team, he would go with a title contender.

"I grew up winning championships since I was young and I am used to winning," the 30-year-old said. "And it's been disappointing to go through the same thing in the past three years (with the Indians missing the playoffs). I would like to play for a strong team that contends for the championship."

Choo, the only Korean in the majors, bounced back this year after an injury-plagued 2011 season, during which he was also arrested for drunk-driving charges.

This year, Choo played in 155 games, most since 2009, and batted .289 with 16 home runs, 67 RBI and 21 steals. In 2011, a year after he put up his second straight season with at least 20 homers and 20 steals, Choo only managed eight home runs and 12 steals in 85 games with a .259 average.

Despite Choo's contribution, the Indians ended fourth among five clubs in the American League Central, with 68 wins and 94 losses. Manager Manny Acta was fired in late September with six games remaining in the season.

The Indians led the division in June, but went 24-53 in the second half. They suffered 24 losses in August, tying the franchise record for defeats in a month. The Tribes, who also went through a second-half swoon in 2011, haven't been to the playoffs since 2007.

Though he came up shy of a '20-20' season, Choo set career-highs with 88 runs scored and 43 doubles, which placed him fifth in the American League.

The solid season should go a long way toward raising his stocks with the free agency looming after the 2013 season. Choo made $4.9 million this season and could be in for a big payday, especially with uber-agent Scott Boras representing him.

Choo insisted the Indians also have a wealth of young talent and they may only be a few moves away from becoming a contending team. Choo said, however, he doesn't know whether he will be a part of the Indians' future.

"Baseball has so many variables, and my agent and I don't know whether I will be traded or not," he said. "Only the team knows, and I can't give you a clear answer at this point. But the one thing is for sure: I'd like to play for a winning team."

Choo had batted mostly third in the lineup in recent seasons, but he appeared in 99 games this year at the top of the order. As the leadoff man, Choo had 12 homers and 13 steals along with a .310 average.

Choo said he doesn't really care where he hits in the lineup as long as he gets to play on a regular basis, though batting leadoff certainly didn't hurt.

"You'd see more fastballs on first pitches at the leadoff spot than in the middle of the order," Choo said. "I had a lot of fastballs to hit, or at least pitches close to the strike zone. And there was less pressure mentally in batting first."

To further increase his value, though, the left-handed Choo must start hitting better against left-handed pitchers.

This season, he hit just .199 against lefties in 206 at-bats with two home runs, compared to a .327 average against the right-handers.

Choo, who debuted with the Seattle Mariners in 2005 and only began playing regularly with the Indians in 2008, carries a .249 average against southpaws and a .307 mark against righties in his career.

Choo also had to overcome his fears of inside pitches, in particular from lefties. In June last year, Choo broke his left thumb when the then-San Francisco Giants lefty Jonathan Sanchez nailed him with a pitch. Then in April this year, Sanchez, now pitching for the Kansas City Royals, hit him again, this time on his right leg.

This year, Choo was plunked 14 times by a pitch, eight of them against southpaws.

Choo said he sought out help from other left-handed sluggers, such as Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers and Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds, on how to hit left-handers. Because everyone has a different approach at the plate, Choo said he didn't really get one particular piece of advice that he took to heart.

It came down to exorcising the devil on his own, Choo said.

"I didn't want to get hit, and so I would step back a little at the plate, but I still kept getting nailed," he said. "Then I decided I couldn't play baseball unless I overcame this fear. I became more aggressive and pitchers started throwing more mistakes. I can't say I am 100 percent over it, but I am confident I will be better next year."

With the World Baseball Classic (WBC) scheduled to start next March, Choo said he'd love to represent South Korea once again. He was a key member of Korea's gold medal-winning team at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and also the runner-up squad at the 2009 WBC.

Choo said he would need to discuss the situation with the new Indians' manager, Terry Francona, who Choo said may want to hold back some key players for the spring training that overlaps with the WBC. The player said he is hoping for "good news" in the near future regarding his status for the WBC.

Indians Sign Takuya Tsuchida

By Steve Adams [October 29 at 10:28pm CST]

The Indians have signed 18-year-old Japanese outfielder Takuya Tsuchida, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Sulia link).

The speedy left-handed hitter's best positions are second base and center field, according to Hoynes. Tsuchida is expected to report to Spring Training with the team's minor leaguers and will likely begin 2013 in extended Spring Training. As Hoynes notes, general manager Chris Antonetti had roughly $700K of the team's $2.9MM international spending cap to work with prior to signing Tsuchida.

On the international front the Indians have already signed prospects Grofy Cruz, Francisco Mejia, Yoiber Marquina, and Naoki Hashimoto.


Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#KwpsstEUeVrvUJ4M.99

Linden provides fireworks for Estrellas

Giants farmhand hits pair of solo homers to lead Oriente to victory

10/29/12 11:19 PM ET
Dominican Winter League

Oriente 9, Cibao 6

Giants farmhand Todd Linden hit a pair of solo home runs to lead the Estrellas in a high-scoring affair. The blasts were the switch-hitting slugger's third and fourth during his nine games with Oriente. Over 127 regular-season games for Triple-A Fresno, the 32-year-old hit just 11 homers in his return to the Minors following stints in Japan and the independent North American League. Reds outfielder Denis Phipps also launched his first Dominican homer and drove in two runs as the Estrellas cleanup hitter. Felix Pie (Braves) and Alex Valdez added a double and two RBIs each.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura kicked off the scoring for the Gigantes with a two-run shot off Red Sox prospect Stolmy Pimentel in the first inning. Marlins' No. 5 prospect Marcell Ozuna hit a two-run homer of his own in the eighth to close the game's scoring.

Cibaenas 2, Escogido 0

Miguel Batista, who spent parts of the regular season with the Braves and Mets organizations, led a group of seven Aguilas hurlers who combined on a shutout in the team's win on Monday. The 41-year-old right-hander gave up five hits and struck out one in his four innings as the team's starter. Tony Pena Jr. (Red Sox) earned the win after tossing hitless fifth and sixth innings. Luis Vizcaino received his first save with two strikeouts in a perfect ninth.

Hector Luna and Juan Carlos Perez drove in both Cibaenas runs.

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Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012

Fighters face pivotal test at home after consecutive losses

By JASON COSKREY

The Yomiuri Giants are headed to Hokkaido with an eye on capturing the Japan Series title. The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters are headed home simply trying to come up with a way to earn a return trip to Tokyo.

Northern exposure: Hisayoshi Chono and the Giants have a 2-0 lead in the Japan Series going into Tuesday's Game 3. KYODO

The Kyojin edged the Fighters 1-0 in Game 2 of the Japan Series in front of 44,932 Sunday night at Tokyo Dome, taking a 2-0 lead in the series, which resumes on Tuesday at Sapporo Dome.

"We're going to Hokkaido, so the scene will change, but hopefully the results of the games will stay the same," Giants manager Tatsunori Hara said after Game 2.

Yomiuri won by the slimmest of margins, taking the lead on Hisayoshi Chono's leadoff homer in the first and needing eight shutout innings from second-year pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura to hold the Fighters at bay.

"To win after scoring just one run is always satisfying," Hara said.

The Fighters returned home to Sapporo not only down 2-0, but with the status of slugger Sho Nakata in doubt.

Nakata was hit in the hand with a pitch in the first inning and taken out of the game in the fourth. X-rays on Nakata's hand revealed the hand to be bruised, not broken, but his status could be in doubt heading into Game 3.

"I think he'll be affected by the injury a bit, but he can still play," Fighters manager Hideki Kuriyama said.

Losing Nakata, or even having the slugger in the lineup but ailing, is a blow to an offense that is already sputtering.

The Fighters have managed to score one run and record just eight hits through the first two games of the series.

Giants ace Tetsuya Utsumi threw seven shutout innings against Nippon Ham in Game 1, and Sawamura did even more damage in Game 2. The Fighters' only run of the series came when Daikan Yoh homered off reliever Dicky Gonzalez in the ninth inning of Game 1.

"Yesterday we gave up only one run and tonight we won 1-0," Hara said. "All the pitchers are in top form."

Fighters starter Masaru Takeda was in top form on Sunday as well, but it wasn't enough to keep his team from taking the loss. The left-hander allowed one run on four hits and struck out a season-high 10 over six innings.

"We scored the one run (in the first) and wanted to add one or two more, which we couldn't," Hara said. "Our batters kept striking out so many times. I don't think they've studied the opponent well yet."

Takeda wasn't ready to concede defeat in the series, even with his team facing a 2-0 deficit.

"I was able to pitch my way," Takeda said. "Compared to my previous series, I pitched better, and I believe I'll have another chance. So I want to pitch aggressively next time out."

The road doesn't get much easier for the Fighters in Sapporo.

While rookie Ryosuke Miyaguni will likely get a start on the road, the main concern is when Hara will choose to deploy right-hander D.J. Houlton.

Houlton, who joined Yomiuri this season, was 12-8 with a 2.44 ERA during the regular season and helped get the Kyojin into the Japan Series by winning the decisive sixth game in the Central League Climax Series final stage against the Chunichi Dragons on three days' rest.

More importantly, Houlton spent his first four years in Japan in the Pacific League with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, meaning he's already very familiar with the Fighters' lineup.

Last season, Houlton went on the road and won Game 4 of the 2011 Japan Series. The Hawks would eventually claim the title in seven games.

"I guess I feel a little more confident, having been there last year," Houlton said earlier in the series. "It was so recent, so it's still fresh in my mind."

The specter of another former Hawks pitcher, Toshiya Sugiuchi, also looms large. Sugiuchi, who joined Yomiuri this year as well, missed the Climax Series with an injured shoulder but could possibly pitch if needed in Sapporo.

Nippon Ham starters Brian Wolfe, Masaru Nakamura and, if necessary, Keisuke Tanimoto (in some order) are expected to be tasked with trying to help shift the series back to Tokyo for a final stanza.

"It'll be interesting, because I didn't get to throw against them (Yomiuri) during the regular season," Wolfe said. "I threw against the last year, but this year I haven't pitched against them."

Murata Toru Leaves Magallanes Rotation

10/29/2012 3:12:16 PM

The Japanese has pain in his right shoulder.

By: Carlos Alberto Zambrano Czambrano

CARACAS. -

The Japanese Toru Murata left the Magallanes Navigators rotation complaining of pain in the right shoulder. His spot in the rotation will be assumed by the young Orangel Arenas , who opens Friday in Valencia against the Anzoategui Caribes . The manager Garcia believes Murata can return to starting pitching next week.

Mike Olt: “Playing for Licey is something I desired”

Posted October 23rd, 2012 by DPL & filed under Down on the Farm, Featured Post.

SANTO DOMINGO –

In many cases, organizations require a major league prospect to play winter ball. The result in a lot of cases has been in poor player stats, game play and even cavalier attitude; winter league fans and teams can be very demanding. However, Mike Olt, is a high profile prospect in the Texas Rangers organization, he realizes what effect playing in Dominican Republic can result in.

“It was a difficult decision to play winterball. Before the end of the season in the majors, I knew it was coming. Playing with Licey was something I wanted. Engel Beltre and several Americans who have played here told me it was going to be a good experience and it would help me a lot for next year, “Olt said in an interview with the Dominican media.

So far, the import has an .417 avg (12-5) with a HR, two doubles, two RBIs and a .500 on-base percentage in four games. Mike, who said he will be with Licey until November 21, came with a clear work entrusted to reach the level of play he wanted to achieve.

“I want to shorten my swing and be a more consistent hitter. Additionally, I want to feel more comfortable at first base and in the outfield. We have Beltre at third, Mitch Moreland at first base and several outfielders. I just want to be better every day to contribute any way I can and do whatever it takes”

Before starting the 2012 campaign, he was considered by Baseball America as the No. 43 prospect in the industry. In AAA he hit .288 with 28 homers, 82 RBIs, a .398 OBP and a .579 slugging percentage in 95 games. In the Majors he batted .152 (33-5) with five RBIs in 16 games.

Olt said about the great atmosphere and passion that exists in the Dominican League, “it’s something that is not lived in the minor leagues”

Gregory Polanco added to Leones del Escojido roster

Posted October 23rd, 2012 by DPL & filed under Down on the Farm, Featured Post.


Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Gregory Polanco arrived in Dominican Republic this weekend and immediately joined the Leones del Escojido.

Polanco was selected by the Leones in the first round of the amateur draft this year held by the Dominican Winter League in August. The left hand hitting outfielder is 6’4” 170lb and 21 years old, he was on the roster on Sunday as the Leoons defeated los Toros 3-1 in the East.

Polanco signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 11, 2009 in Dominican Republic, he had an extraordinary campaign with the West Virginia Power, Class A affiliate of the Pirates, where he hit .325 with 16 home runs, 84 runs scored, 85 RBIs and 40 stolen bases in 116 games. He was second in batting, third in RBIs, fourth in runs and stolen bases in the South Atlantic League. Among his achievements this summer included the SAL most outstanding Major League prospect award in that league; he was also selected to the SAL All-Star Game.

Dominican Winter League

•Juan Diaz (SS, Estrelles de Oriente): 0-for-4, K. Diaz is just 2-for-13 (.154) so far this offseason, and is off to a slow start defensively as well with 2 errors in 18 total chances.


•Tim Fedroff (LF, Aguilas Cibaenas): 0-for-2, K. Fedroff was pinch hit for in the 6th inning, likely because a left-hander was brought in to face him (these DWL managers play to win). So far his winter ball campaign has gotten off to a cold start as he is just 8-for-35 (.229) in 9 games, and after getting a hit in each of his first 7 games he has been held hitless in his last 2 games.

By Tony

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2012

Early bird: Hokkaido Nippon Ham's Makoto Kaneko hits an RBI single in the second inning of the Fighters' 7-3 win over the Giants in Game 3 of the Japan Series at Sapporo Dome on Tuesday. KYODO

Fighters come alive in Japan Series

By JASON COSKREY

SAPPORO —

A change in scenery got the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters back in their comfort zone and back in the Japan Series.

Go-to guy: Hokkaido Nippon Ham's Atsunori Inaba salutes fans after Game 3 of the Japan Series on Tuesday. KYODO

With former star Yu Darvish watching as a guest commentator for the television broadcast, Atsunori Inaba roused a slumping offense with an early home run, and reliever Hirotoshi Masui escaped a bases-loaded no-out jam in the eighth with the lead as the Fighters got back into the Japan Series with a 7-3 win on Tuesday at Sapporo Dome.

"We won the first game here, but we have two more games at home before we go back to Tokyo," Fighters manager Hideki Kuriyama said. "We hope to win again tomorrow and Thursday and head back to Tokyo leading three games to two. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for us to take the series.

The Giants still lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday night.

"We played with tenacity both offensively and defensively," Giants manager Tatsunori Hara said. "I actually wanted to see more from our players offensively, but we played hard, so we should just clear our minds and start again tomorrow."

The Fighters avoided going into a 3-0 hole, but understand they're not out of the woods just yet.

"Once we enter tomorrow's game, it's a whole new ballgame," Inaba said. "I don't have any particular feeling of anxiety about what we have to do."

Inaba basked in the glow of victory on the hero interview platform after the game, as the majority of the 36,942 fans in the stands roared their approval, thanking him for breathing new life into the series.

"I think my home run changed the mood and momentum of the series," Inaba said. "It felt good to be playing at home and feel the enthusiasm of our fans."

The Nippon Ham offense finally awoke from the slumber it had been in for the first two games, exploding for seven runs and 12 hits. The Fighters had managed one run and eight hits Games 1 & 2 combined.

"We play good baseball today and got rid of our bad atmosphere," Kuriyama said. "I've been waiting for our team to play with more energy and we were finally able to do that and play the way the Fighters are supposed to play."

Inaba led the way with a solo homer in the second and an RBI double in the third. The Fighters veteran finished 2-for-4. Eiichi Koyano also finished 2-for-4, leaving him with a .455 average in the series, and Shota Ono was 2-for-3. The entire Nippon Ham starting lineup finished with at least one hit.

"Now it feels like we can finally get started," Kuriyama said. "But if we lose, it's no good. We've been playing as if it's our last game for the entire season. So hopefully we can hang in there and extend the series."

The Fighters were particularly efficient at the bottom of the order, where Koyano, Micah Hoffpauir, Ono and Makoto Kaneko — six through nine in the starting lineup — combined to finish with six hits and three RBIs.

"The way we won this game was good," Inaba said. "It makes us feel like we can get on a roll. We want to keep this momentum going tomorrow."

Nippon Ham second baseman Takahiro Imanami came up big in his first Japan Series start, starting a double play in the fourth before making another solid play to end the inning and kill a Giants rally. Imanami was also 1-for-4 at the plate.

"Nami has been good at the plate, so I've been wondering how we should use him," Kuriyama said. "He contributed to us defensively as well. He certainly helped us gain some momentum."

Nippon Ham took a 6-2 lead into the top of the eighth, but the Giants loaded the bases on singles by Tetsuya Matsumoto, Hayato Sakamoto, and Kazunari Sanematsu, who had replaced the injured Shinnosuke earlier in the game.

Fighters pitcher Hirotoshi Masui got a pop up out of Yoshinobu Takahashi then fielded Shuichi Murata's ground ball and flipped it to catcher Ono for the force out. Yoshihito Ishii drove in a run with an infield single, but Masui retired Yoshiyuki Kamei to end the threat.

Starter Brian Wolfe earned the win for Nippon Ham and came out on top of the pitching matchup with former Servite High School (Anaheim, California) teammate D.J. Houlton. Wolfe allowed two runs on five hits over innings, striking out three, walking three and hitting a batter.

"Wolfe gave us five good innings," Kuriyama said. "He pitched well, and I will not hesitate to use him again later in the series."

Losing battle: Yomiuri's Hayato Sakamoto hits an RBI single in the fifth inning on Tuesday night. KYODO

Houlton failed to make it out of the third, giving up five runs on five hits over 2⅔ innings.

"When your starting pitcher doesn't hang in for three innings, you can't win," Hara said.

The Giants fizzled at the plate in their first road contest of the postseason. Yomiuri finished with 11 hits, but stranded runners in key situations.

Tetsuya Matsumoto and Hayato Sakamoto each finished with three hits, with Sakamoto also driving in a run. Matsumoto also made a diving catch in center with the bases loaded that prevented the final score from being worse than it was.

"Matsumoto did pretty well today," Hara said. "Our No. 2 and No. 3 (Matsumoto and Sakamoto) were pretty good, now our main players need to step up."

Catcher Shinnosuke Abe was 0-for-2 and left after feeling discomfort in his right leg while trying to get on base during the fifth inning. Abe was replaced by Sanematsu.

"We'll see how he moves tomorrow," Hara said.

Samsung Lions squeeze past SK Wyverns, one win from championship

The Samsung Lions squeezed past the SK Wyverns 2-1 Wednesday to get to within one win of the South Korean professional baseball championship.

In Game 5 of the Korean Series at Seoul's Jamsil Stadium, the Lions scored early on SK's shaky defense and held on for dear life to take the 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven affair.

The Lions can clinch their second straight title, and sixth overall, with a win Thursday night back at Jamsil.

The Lions got the first run in the bottom of the first. After a pair of one-out singles put runners on the corners, SK starter Yoon Hee-sang threw a wild pitch to allow Jung Hyeong-sik to score from third.

The Lions took a 2-0 lead in the bottom third. They had runners on first and third after two singles and an SK error, and Park Han-yi hit a grounder to short to score Lee Seung-yeop from third.

Shortstop Park Jin-man tried to throw home but he couldn't get the ball out of the glove in time to make the play.

The Wyverns got one back in the top fourth thanks to three consecutive singles, capped off by Lee Ho-joon's RBI hit to right.

Later that inning, the Wyverns had runners on the corners with two outs, but Lee Ho-joon was caught in a rundown between third and home on a botched double steal attempt.

The Wyverns wasted another scoring chance in the top seventh.

With no out and runners on first and second, Kim Kang-min and Park Jin-man struck out against Samsung reliever Ahn Ji-man, and pinch hitter Lee Jae-won grounded out to short.

SK had one final rally in the top of the ninth. Choi Jeong led off with a triple off the centerfield wall and Park Jung-kwon drew a one-out walk. But Kim Kang-min went down swinging and Park Jin-man struck out looking against closer Oh Seung-hwan, who recorded the final four outs for his second save of the Korean Series.

Samsung's starter Yoon Sung-hwan pitched six innings and gave up a run on five hits to earn his second win of the series. His SK counterpart, Yoon Hee-sang, scattered five hits over seven innings but allowed two runs for the loss.

Left-hander Jang Won-sam will start Game 6 for the Lions, and the Wyverns will send right-hander Mario Santiago.

After playing two games apiece at their respective homes, Daegu and Incheon, the Lions and the Wyverns will finish out the Korean Series at the neutral venue of Jamsil.

Under a KBO rule designed to draw more fans, if a team with the home field advantage in the Korean Series plays at a park with a capacity smaller than 25,000, Games 5 through 7, if necessary, come to Jamsil, which seats 26,000 in the country's biggest market.

The Lions hold the home field thanks to their first-place finish in the regular season. They served as the home team and batted last in Game 5 and will do so again in Game 7, should the clubs go the distance.

Their home park, Daegu Baseball Stadium, holds only 10,000, according to the KBO. (Yonhap News)