World Baseball Classic, Round two, Pool one: Korea – Mexico 8-2
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Korea had a prefect start into the second round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic. They defeated Mexico at PETCO Park in San Diego 8-2, setting up a third matchup against Japan in the tournament. The two winners from Sunday will face each other on Tuesday to determine the first semi-finalist from Pool one. Mexico needs to take on Cuba tonight, hoping to avoid elimination.
Mexico actually had the better start into the game, loading the bases in the second and putting two runs on the board via a two-run single by Augie Ojeda from the Arizona Diamondbacks. However it was the last time that they were able to bring a runner home. Korea answered right away. Bum Ho Lee cut the deficit in a half with a solo shot over the left field fence. Yong-Kyu Lee tied it on a throwing error by second baseman Edgar Gonzalez moments later.
The first-place team from Pool A took the lead through solo homeruns by Tae Kyun Kim and Young Min Ko in the fourth and fifth innings. Tae Kyun Kim added two more runs with a two-run single in the seventh, starting a four-run rally, which was capped by a sac fly from Yong-Kyu Lee and a RBI single by Ki Hyuk Park.
Hyunjin Ryu started for Korea and gave up five hits, two runs and a walk in 2 2/3 innings, striking out three. Hyun Wook Jong (W 1-0) picked up the win with 2 2/3 innings of one-hit, one-walk relief. Oliver Perez (L 0-1) of the New York Mets took the loss, allowing six hits, four runs (3 ER) and two base on balls in 4 2/3 innings. He induced all three homeruns by Korea.