Jeff KARSTENS pitched a gem to lead the United States to a 3-1 win against South Korea. They clinched the berth in the semi-finals at the World Cup of Baseball and meet with the Netherlands on Saturday.
The Americans build up a fast 3-0 lead after three innings. Andy LAROCHE hit a two-run-homerun in the first. Steve PEARCE added a run in the third with a RBI-single. Jayson NIX scored twice. Korea scored their only run in the sixth. Joo Chan KIM scored on a ground out by Han Joon YOO.
However, it was a game dominated by pitching. KARSTENS (W 2-0), a spot starter for the New York Yankees in 2006 and 2007, allowed one run on five hits in seven innings. He struck out seven. It was his second win in the tournament. Jeff STEVENS closed out the game for the save.
Won Jon CHANG (L 1-1) took the loss after four innings of work. He was charged with three runs on five hits and two walks. Reliever Jang Ho BAE stopped the American offense with four one-hit innings. Though it was too late.
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