Small but important part for Bernadina in Tigers’ victory

In a nailbiter of a game, the Kia Tigers beat the Doosan Bears with the smallest possible margin, to tie the Korean Series at one. For 7.5 innings both starting pitchers kept the opponent in check, but eventually, the Tigers scored the game’s sole run in the bottom of the eighth inning and that is where Roger Bernadina played a part.

The starting pitcher of the Doosan Bears, Jang Won-jun lasted seven innings in which he kept the lineup of the Kia Tigers in check rather well. He only gave up four hits of which Roger Bernadina hit two. Even though Jang Won-jun gave up five walks, the Tigers never got past second base. Yang Hyon-jong, the starter of the Kia Tigers pitched a complete game in which he threw 122 pitches. The final out was a struggle as slugger Yang Eui-ji kept fouling off pitches. Yang Hyon-jong started with a ball but then Yang Eui-ji fouled off the next seven pitches before Yang Hyon-jong threw a ball again. The next pitch was fouled off again but eventually, Yang Hyon-jong put away Yang Eui-ji with a fastball for the final out.

The sole run of the game was scored in the eighth inning. Kim Joo-chan led off with a double and was bunted over to third by Roger Bernadina, who wasn’t bothered by starlike airs by doing so. After Choi Hyung-woo drew a walk, he advanced to third when Na Ji-wan grounded to third. As Kim Joo-chan pulled off third base a bit too far, he was caught in a rundown. Choi Hyung-woo came dashing towards third base and Doosan Bears catcher Yang Eui-ji made a mental error. Instead of focusing on the rundown, he threw the ball towards third base where Choi Hyung-woo was tagged out. But this gave Kim Joo-chan the opportunity to score the only run of the game.

Roger Bernadina was the best hitter for the Kia Tigers today as he went 2 for 2 with a walk. A tiny blemish on today’s service record was the fact that he was picked off first base in the fourth inning after he had gotten on base on a single to left center field.