Lions reliever eager for shot at revenge in KBO postseason

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DAEGU, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- Two years after his Samsung Lions lost to the Kia Tigers in the Korean Series, Lions reliever Lee Seung-min is still bitter about the experience.

It was Lee's first postseason in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). He made two appearances and gave up a run in 3 1/3 innings, but the Tigers still prevailed in five games.

This week, Lee and the Lions have their shot at revenge, as the two teams collide in the best-of-five second round starting Sunday at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu.

Samsung Lions reliever Lee Seung-min pitches against the Kia Tigers during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in the southwestern city of Gwangju on Oct. 6, 2026, in this file photo provided by the Lions. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

"After it all ended, I saw Kia players celebrate on the field, and I was pretty angry," Lee told reporters Sunday after practice. "I realized then nobody remembers who finishes in second place. I really want to get revenge this year. I would love to win the title this year so that someone else will watch us celebrate on the field."

Lee, now 26, emerged as a key piece in the Lions' bullpen this year. He pitched to a career-low 2.65 ERA while also establishing personal highs with 74 appearances, 68 innings pitched and 23 holds.

Lee also put up strong numbers against the Tigers this year, with a 1.17 ERA and three holds in eight outings.

And with the team's All-Star closer Kim Jae-yoon, who led the KBO with 35 saves in the regular season, sidelined for up to two weeks with an upper body injury, Lee will be asked to step in as the new closer. Manager Park Jin-min said while the team will take a closer-by-committee approach, Lee will have the ball in the most critical spot in late innings because he is the team's "most reliable" reliever.

Samsung Lions reliever Lee Seung-min poses for a photo before Game 1 of the second round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason against the Kia Tigers at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu on Oct. 25, 2026. (Yonhap)

"I am honored to be considered for an important role like this. Honestly, I could not have imagined I would be in this spot just a few years ago," Lee said. "I think I will have to focus even harder and pitch with a stronger sense of responsibility. It doesn't matter in which inning I take the mound. I just want to make my pitches."

Lee insisted Kim's absence will not hurt the Lions as much as people may fear.

"I think our relievers are all top notch. It is just unfortunate that Jae-yoon will not be here, but I think we have what it takes to fill that gap," Lee said. "The vibe in the clubhouse is still pretty good. We know we have games to play no matter what."

Lee said he will not be afraid of taking on the Tigers' heart of the order, featuring the regular-season home run king, Kim Do-yeong.

Kim, who belted 45 homers in the regular season, launched three more in the first round of the postseason against the LG Twins last week.

"It is not just Kim Do-yeong. They have good hitters from top to bottom," Lee said. "But I will not pitch around them. I will try to execute my pitches the best I can."

jeeho@yna.co.kr (END)

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这将使谷歌能够向您展示与您的搜索匹配或相关的韩联社新闻文章。

大邱，10 月 25 日（韩联社）——两年前，他的三星狮队在韩国系列赛中输给了起亚虎队，狮队救援投手李昇玟至今仍对那次经历耿耿于怀。

这是李在韩国棒球联赛（KBO）的首个季后赛。他出场两次，投了3又1/3局，失一分，但老虎队最终还是以五场比赛获胜。

本周，李宗伟和他的狮队将迎来复仇的机会，两队将于周日在韩国东南部城市大邱的大邱三星狮子公园进行五局三胜制的第二轮比赛。

这张由三星狮队提供的资料照片显示，2026年10月6日，在韩国西南部城市光州的光州起亚冠军球场举行的韩国棒球组织常规赛中，三星狮队救援投手李昇玟对阵起亚虎队。（照片非卖品）（韩联社）

“比赛结束后，我看到起亚队的球员在场上庆祝，我当时非常生气，”李在周日训练后告诉记者。“我那时意识到，没有人会记住谁是第二名。我今年真的想复仇。我渴望赢得今年的冠军，这样其他人就会看到我们在场上庆祝了。”

现年26岁的李今年已成为雄狮队牛棚的关键一员。他投出了职业生涯最低的2.65自责分率，同时还创下了个人新高，出场74次，投球68局，拿下23次救援成功。

李今年对阵老虎队也取得了不错的成绩，8次出场，防御率1.17，并有3次救援成功。

由于球队的全明星终结者金宰允（常规赛以35次救援成功领跑KBO）因上身伤势将缺席长达两周，李将临危受命，担任新的终结者。主教练朴镇民表示，虽然球队会采取轮换终结者的策略，但李将在比赛后段的关键时刻登场，因为他是球队“最可靠的”救援投手。

2026年10月25日，在韩国棒球联赛季后赛第二轮第一场比赛前，三星狮队救援投手李昇玟在韩国东南部城市大邱的大邱三星狮公园球场（对阵起亚老虎队）摆姿势拍照。（韩联社）

“能有机会担任如此重要的角色，我深感荣幸。说实话，几年前我根本无法想象自己会走到今天这一步，”李说道。“我想我必须更加专注，带着更强的责任感去投球。无论在哪一局登板，我都无所谓。我只想投好每一球。”

李坚称金的缺席不会像人们担心的那样对狮队造成太大影响。

“我认为我们的救援投手都是顶尖的。只是很遗憾宰允不能来，但我相信我们有能力填补这个空缺，”李说。“更衣室里的气氛依然很好。我们知道无论如何我们都有比赛要打。”

李表示，他不会害怕挑战老虎队的核心打线，其中包括常规赛本垒打王金道英。

金在常规赛中击出 45 支本垒打，上周在季后赛首轮对阵 LG 双子队的比赛中又击出 3 支本垒打。

“不只是金道英，他们从上到下都有很强的击球手，”李说。“但我不会针对他们投球。我会尽我所能投好每一球。”

jeeho@yna.co.kr (完)

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