Daegu: With a swing of the bat, Lewin Diaz propelled the Samsung Lions to victory in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason, advancing them to the next round on Tuesday night. His two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning broke a 2-2 tie against the SSG Landers in Game 4 of the first-round series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. The Lions clinched the series with a 5-2 win, taking the best-of-five series in four games. Diaz was named the series MVP.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Diaz expressed his delight at the go-ahead home run, stating, "It's going to be one of the best homers in my career." Despite leading the regular season with 50 home runs, the most for a foreign player, this game marked Diaz's first postseason home run.
Diaz emphasized that his approach at the plate is not solely focused on hitting home runs. "I try to focus on putting the ball in play first," he said. He had worked on his timing, which he felt was off earlier in the postseason, by spending time in the batting cage.
Before the game, Diaz expressed that his primary goal was to help the Lions win, rather than seeking personal accolades. "I just want to help my team win," he reiterated post-game. "I want to get to the top in the Korean Series. If I can help the team win, then I think the MVP will follow."
The Lions will now face the Hanwha Eagles, who boast the best starting rotation from the regular season, led by Cody Ponce. Ponce achieved the Triple Crown with league-leading numbers: 17 wins, 252 strikeouts, and a 1.89 ERA. Diaz acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly highlighting Ponce as a formidable opponent. "For me, the best one is Ponce, You have to prepare well for him."