At the end of the Game 1 telecast the camera zeroed in on Daniel Rios as he threw the final pitch of a complete game four-hit shutout. His emotionless expression was eerily focused and unchanging following the third strike.

Our coverage of the Korean playoffs is becoming redundant. There’s no other story line. Sure, leadoff man and centerfielder Lee Jeong-wook is a catalyst, and Game 1 was well played in all facets–great defense, close calls, and a frenzied crowd only out decibled by the chinmusic.

But again the story was Rios, who only needed 99 pitches (70% for strikes) to take home field advantage away from the best team in the league. Looking like a Miami Beach version of Paul Byrd (hold the HGH) with a long floppy windup, Rios used his pinpoint control to hold the best hitting team in the league to four dinks, never letting a runner advance past second.

As was the case in two of the three games vs. Hanwha the Bears scored in the first inning on a Lee Jeong-wook hit/score deal, something that’s about as predictable as Rios is on the mound. There was a repeat of the formula in the 5th, but with a bizarre twist as Lee tagged on a short popup to center, fielded by the second-baseman, who made an odd cutoff throw to the pitcher Kenny Rayborn, who then threw to the plate. Catcher Park Kyeong-won blocked the plate well, but just missed tagging Lee as he tripped his foot across home plate. Park nearly had to leave the game.

Rayborn was adequate for SK, throwing  109 pitches and six innings of quality ball–allowing the two runs before giving way to five Wyvrens relievers that kept things tight, thanks to some terrific defensive plays saving at least three runs.

But there was no breakthrough for SK, who will now turn to Michael Ramano to try and even the series Wednesday night. Doosan will counter with Matt Randell.