KBO Roundup: Bell makes his 2020 debut while Machado provides the web gems

We have reached Day 20 of the 2020 KBO season and so far the NC Dinos continue to charge along with a 16-3 record and a three-game lead over the second-place LG Twins, with the Doosan Bears just a click behind at four-games back.

The home runs and bat flips continue unabated in these games played during the early morning hours here in North America, and in case you have been missing it, here is a work of art on display below.

Meanwhile, former Detroit Tigers infielder Dixon Machado continues to turn back into a pumpkin at the plate, going 0-4 with a walk and a strikeout over the past two days batting in the ninth spot for the Lotte Giants. However, as cold as his bat has gone, his glove remains white-hot as evidenced by a couple of plays from Wednesday.

May 26: Giants sneak by Lions in pitcher’s duel

Samsung Lions 0, Lotte Giants 1

If you have been reading my coverage of the KBO so far, you are well aware of my love of a good pitcher’s duel and Tuesday’s matchup was everything a fan like me would enjoy. Choi Chae-heung got the start for the Lions, throwing seven scoreless innings on just three hits and three walks along with five strikeouts. On the opposite mound was former major leaguer Dan Straily, who was nearly as impressive putting up 6⅓ innings of goose eggs on the board on three hits and four walks while striking out seven. Unfortunately for both starters, neither received a decision for their efforts.

Lotte’s bullpen ended up having the upper hand in this match, tossing 2²⁄₃ innings to snatch the win for reliever Koo Seung-min who benefitted from Kim Won-joong’s third save of the season. The game’s only run was scored by right fielder Son Ah-seop, who went 2-4 on the day and crossed home plate on an RBI single by first baseman Lee Dae-ho in the eighth.

BONUS:

LG Twins 3, Hanwha Eagles 0

W: Tyler Wilson; L: Kim Ee-whan; SV: Lee Sang-gyu

Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Chad Bell made his first start of the 2020 KBO season for the Hanwha Eagles against the LG Twins, throwing 3⅓ innings of no run ball while allowing two hits and two walks along with three strikeouts on 60 pitches in the no-decision effort. His debut outing looked pretty good and hopefully he will continue the success he saw last season after hopping over the Pacific for greener pastures.

Other results:

Kia Tigers 4, KT Wiz 1

W: Drew Gagnon; L: Bae Je-seong

SK Wyverns 4, Doosan Bears 6

W: Kwon Hyuk; L: Seo Jin-yong; SV: Lee Hyun-seung

Kiwoom Heroes 2, NC Dinos 7

W: Koo Chang-mo; L: Lee Seung-ho; SV: Won Jong-hyun

May 27: Despaigne throws a beauty, shuts out Tigers

Kia Tigers 0, KT Wiz 5

Both starting pitchers entered this game without having given up a home run so far this season and that trend continued. Wiz’s starter Odrisamer Despaigne threw a beauty on Thursday, going eight innings without allowing a run on four hits, three walks and a hit batter; he struck out seven along the way for the win.

His opponent Im Ki-young did not fare nearly as well, giving up three earned runs on six hits and a walk over five innings to take the loss, though his five Ks on the day was not too shabby. Im came into game with a 3.38 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, neither of which he lived up to. KT’s centerfielder Bae Jeong-dae led the way on offense, going 3-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored to up his slashline to a healthy .385 BA/.417 OBP/.986 OPS.

Other results:

LG Twins 15, Hanwha Eagles 4

W: Jung Chan-heon; L: Jang Min-jae; SV: Yeo Geon-wook

SK Wyverns 2, Doosan Bears 4

W: Yu Hui-kwan L: Moon Seung-won SV: Ham Duk-joo

Samsung Lions 11, Lotte Giants 1

W: Won Tae-in L: Park Se-woong

Kiwoom Heroes 3, NC Dinos 10

W: Lee Jae-hak L: Han Hyun-hee

Coming up:

Thursday, May 28

Kia Tigers vs. KT Wiz (5:30 a.m. ET)

LG Twins vs. Hanwha Eagles (5:30 a.m. ET)

SK Wyverns vs. Doosan Bears (5:30 a.m. ET)

Samsung Lions vs. Lotte Giants (5:30 a.m. ET)

Kiwoom Heroes vs. NC Dinos (5:30 a.m. ET)

Friday, May 29

Hanwha Eagles vs. SK Wyverns (5:30 a.m. ET)

KT Wiz vs. Kiwoom Heroes (5:30 a.m. ET)

LG Twins vs. Kia Tigers (5:30 a.m. ET)

Lotte Giants vs. Doosan Bears (5:30 a.m. ET)

NC Dinos vs. Samsung Lions (5:30 a.m. ET)

You can watch all of the games live or on delay using the Twitch app. Click here for a the link to the channel.