In brief
The Samsung Lions clinched a spot in the Korean Series with a 6‑1 victory over the Kia Tigers in Game 5 of the postseason, yet manager Park Jin‑man highlighted defensive frailties that could threaten their title run. Despite the win and strong play from Ariel Jurado, Kim Ji‑chan, and Lee Seung‑min, the team committed nine errors in the first five games and Park warns a single mistake may prove costly in the final series.
The Samsung Lions booked a berth in the Korean Series after a 6‑1 win over the Kia Tigers in Game 5 of the second round of the KBO playoffs at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on Sunday.
The off‑season‑starred club piled up 11 hits but also committed two defensive errors, bringing the total for the first five games of the playoffs to nine.
"Our defense has to be better," manager Park Jin‑man said. "It was a source of our pride in the regular season but I don't know what has happened in the postseason."
Red‑flagging the team’s guard, Park added that some players seemed intimidated by the high stakes and that confidence and reaction speed were key. He warned that mistakes would be magnified in the Korean Series.
"A small miscue can determine the outcome of a game and we have to address that issue," Park said.
Park singled out starting pitcher Ariel Jurado, who tossed seven strong innings and allowed only one unearned run, and cleared his way as the series MVP with a 1‑0 record and a 1.32 ERA in his two starts.
Offensively, leadoff man Kim Ji‑chan drove in three runs and scored three times, while all‑purpose reliever Lee Seung‑min was noted as the unsung hero of the clinching game.
In the regular season, the Lions tied with the fewest KBO errors—85 in 144 games—a record that Park deemed “our pride”. He repeated that defensive lapses in the playoffs threaten that mark and warned his squad that “a single miscue” could alter the course of a championship game.
