Home turf magic powers Samsung Lions over Kia Tigers in Game 3 of KBO Korean Series

The Samsung Lions were victorious for the first time in three tries in the KBO Korean Series. Facing a 2-0 series deficit, the Lions rallied back on their home turf in Daegu, southeast of the capital Seoul.

Samsung found the perfect combination of dominant pitching and dynamic scoring in Game 3. It ended 4-2 thanks to the team's batting lineup and the heroics of starter Denyi Reyes.

The Lions' offense only scored four runs in the first two games combined in the Tigers' lair in Gwangju. However, they turned it around on Friday at home as they smashed four solo home runs.

Lee Sung-gyu, Kim Young-woong, Kim Hun-gon and Park Byung-ho each had solo shots to stun what was an impenetrable Kia Tigers pitching staff. The four home runs raised the team's tally to 12 homers at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in just three postseason games.

In the home run bonanza, former Minnesota Twin and KBO legend Park Byung-ho hit his 14th in the postseason. He is now tied with former Samsung star and one of the greatest Korean baseball players of all time, Lee Seung-yuop.

The home run was Park's 403rd in the KBO. It moved him closer to the 495 by the legendary Choi Jeong, who leads the all-time KBO list.

Another vital part of the Lions' win was starter Denyi Reyes, who spent time in the MLB with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets before transferring to South Korea. He gave the team immediate stability as he held an 11-4 record with a 3.81 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 26 starts.

Against the high-octane Tigers offense that outscored the Lions 13-4 in the first two games, Reyes refused to give up a run in his seven-inning outing. He allowed just five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.

The win gave the Lions a lifeline in the series as they host the Tigers again on Saturday for Game 4. It will be the final time that a postseason game will be held in Daegu this season as the subsequent games will be hosted by the Kia Tigers.

KBO living legend Park Byung-ho breaks out of slump

Known as one of the most prolific hitters in KBO history, many were questioning if Samsung Lions slugger Park Byung-ho still had the chops to play in the league after going 0-for-11 on the way to the postseason.

However, he silenced his doubters as he unleashed a solo shot in Game 3 at home. It was historical as it tied the most postseason home runs in league history set by Lee Seung-yeop.