World Baseball Classic Pool A: Japan – Korea 0-1
KOR 000 100 000 1 4 0 JPN 000 000 000 0 6 0
A RBI groundball single down the left field line by Tae Kyun Kim in the fourth, driving in Jong Wook Lee from third was all Korea needed to earn the top seed in Pool A. They defeated Japan 1-0 at the Tokyo Dome, getting some payback for Saturday’s 2-14 loss. Both teams will advance into round two, facing the two top squads from Pool B at PETCO Park in San Diego, California next weekend. Team Nippon now likely will draw Cuba in their first game.
Korea had opportunities to decide the game earlier, but made several mistakes on the bases, getting thrown out three times (twice at third, once at home) and once by a pickoff try at second base from Japanese catcher Kenji Johjima. They made Japan’s pitcher work, taking pitches for seven walks besides the four hits. Japan managed just six hits and no walks, but also made some hard outs, failing to repeat Saturday’s slugfest.
Jung Keun Bong (W 1-0) allowed three singles in 5 1/3 brilliant innings, striking out two. Three relievers completed the shutout, highlighted by a five-out save from closer Chang Yong Lim. Hisashi Iwakuma (L 0-1) didn’t disappoint either, showing his stuff to the international baseball stage. However he didn’t receive any support from his offense and took the loss, giving up two hits, one run and three base on balls in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five. Game one starter Yu Darvish got some work in, striking out the side in the eighth.
Both teams will travel to Arizona and are scheduled to play each two more exhibition games against Major League clubs in Spring Training, before continuing the 2009 World Baseball Classic next Sunday.