Incheon: The Samsung Lions smacked two home runs en route to a 5-2 win over the SSG Landers to begin their Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason series on Thursday. Backed by early run support, Lions starter Choi Won-tae enjoyed the finest outing of his postseason career, striking out eight over six shutout innings while giving up just two singles at Incheon SSG Landers Field in Incheon, 30 kilometers west of Seoul.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Game 2 of this best-of-five first-round series is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday in Incheon. With a sellout crowd of 22,500 on hand, the Lions showed their intent from the start, as leadoff man Lee Jae-hyeon connected with a first-pitch fastball from starter Mitch White for a solo home run, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. Lee’s homer made history as he became the first player to hit a home run on the first pitch of a postseason game in KBO history.

Despite the Landers’ defense coming through for White in the second inning, with center fielder Choi Ji-hoon making a diving catch, the Lions continued their offensive onslaught. Kim Young-woong hit a two-run homer off White in the third inning, following a missed opportunity on a first-pitch curveball. This marked Kim’s fifth homer in his 12th career postseason game.

The Landers’ bullpen struggled to contain the Lions, as Lewin Diaz added a run-scoring double off reliever Park Si-hoo in the fourth inning, extending the lead to 4-0. Kim Ji-chan, who entered as a pinch runner, drove in Diaz with a single, pushing the Lions’ advantage to 5-0.

Choi Won-tae’s performance on the mound was pivotal, setting postseason career highs in both innings pitched and strikeouts, with only four balls reaching the outfield. The Landers showed signs of life in the seventh inning, with Ko Myeong-jun hitting his first career postseason homer, a two-run shot off reliever Kim Tae-hoon, narrowing the score to 5-2.

In the eighth inning, the Landers threatened to further close the gap by loading the bases, but Ko’s fielder’s choice groundout ended the inning without additional runs. Closer Kim Jae-yoon secured the victory for the Lions by retiring the final three batters in the ninth inning, earning his eighth career postseason save.