Grinning and hopping around the mound in a way reminiscent of a young Kim Byung-hyun, Friday’s starter for SK Kim Gwang-hyun dominated the Doosan Bears, throwing 7 1/3 inn of one-hit ball, leading the Wyverns to a 4-0 win.

SK’s Kim (who is just 19) was dazzling, allowing just one hit to Lee Jeong-wook, and striking out nine. The rookie from Ansan (near Seoul) was used mostly in relief on the year, and choosing to start him at all, no less against the best pitcher in the league, was something of a risk. But Kim, who at times could barely contain his excitement, pumping his fist and broadly smiling as he sprinted off the mound every inning, seemed to invigorate the entire SK team.  

The win tied the series at two, but perhaps most importantly, SK accomplished something they’d only done once in five previous tries–the team beat Rios.

For Rios, who was coming back on just three days rest, it was one of his–I hesitate to use the word worst–least, outings of the year: three runs on nine hits over five innings.

A Kim Jae-hyun double followed by a Lee Ho-jun single sped SK to a 1-0 lead. Rios threw well over the next few innings, but in the 5th he gave up back-to-back HRs, the first to Jo Dong-hwa, he of one career HR, improbably it was his second in three games. After the home run Rios cocked his head to the side, as if to say, “What can I say?”

But it was followed by a second by Kim Jae-hyun who again got to Rios by smacking a hanging curve into the right field seats.

Jo Woong-chun and Ka Duk-yeom closed the door for SK, who will turn back to its ace Kenny Rayborn for a Saturday night Game 5 matchup. Doosan will counter with Game 2 winner Matt Randel.