USA comes back, blows lead in 9th and loses to Korea

South Korea – USA 8-7

USA 100 021 003  7 12 1
KOR 021 030 002  8  9 1

Box score
Recap on USABaseball.com

In maybe one of the most thrilling games in the past few years on the international level South Korea defeated Team USA 8-7 on day one of the Olympic tournament. The Americans overcame a 4-6-deficit in the ninth on a homerun by Mike Hessman (2-4, 2 runs) and a two-run single by Matt Brown (3 RBI) to go up 7-6 against the Asian powerhouse.

But the Koreans had one answer left. Taek Keun Lee tied it with a fielder’s choice RBI with one out against closer Jeff Stevens, who also made a decisive error, moments later, which advanced the runner to third, scoring the winning run on a sac fly by Jong Wook Lee.

South Korea had taken the lead two times in the game before, but the young minor league talents fought back twice, but to lose on the last pitch of the match. Dae Ho Lee (KOR) and Nate Schierholtz (USA) also homered in the game. Brian Barden had three hits and a RBI for the stars and stripes.

Brandon Knight struggled in 4 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits, six runs and two walks. He was relieved by Michael Koplove, Brian Duensing and Kevin Jepsen stopping the Koreans from scoring till the ninth with perfect pitching. But Stevens (L 0-1) blew the lead to take the loss.

Jung Keun Bong started for South Korea and lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up five hits, three runs and a walk. Tae Hyon Chong replaced him and struck out six in 2 2/3 innings. Ki Joo Han gave up three runs on three hits in the ninth to allow the American comeback. Suk Min Yoon (W 1-0) picked up the win.