Korea Pounds Taiwan 9-0
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
Though South Korea is not fielding veteran sluggers Lee Seung-yeop of the Yomiuri Giants and Kim Dong-joo of the Doosan Bears, nor perfect shortstop Park Jin-man of the Samsung Lions and pitcher Park Chan-ho of the Philadelphia Phillies, no one is feeling their absence in the lineup.
The Beijing Olympic golden boys thrashed Taiwan 9-0 in their opening game of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at the Tokyo Dome Stadium, Japan, Friday.
While Taiwan starter Lie Chen Chang struggled to get used to the small strike zone, the first WBC semifinalists pounded him producing six scores at the bottom of the first.
With the bases loaded from two walks and a hit batter, Kim Tae-kyun connected for a two-RBI single to give Korea a 2-0 lead.
After the bases were loaded again by the only south Korean major leaguer Choo Shin-soo's walk, Lee Jin-young smashed a grand slam.
While Korea starter Ryu Hyun-jin and Bong Jung-keun tied up the Taiwanese lineup allowing two hits and two walks during six innings, South Korea took their chances to produce runs.
At the bottom of the fifth, Kim Hyun-soo and Kim Tae-kyun were put on bases by a double and a walk. When Lee Dae-ho hit a ball, which rolled between first and second bases very slowly, Kim Hyun-soo dashed home to give Korea a 7-0 lead. Though Taiwan's second baseman could have got an out at first base, he didn't field the ball well enough.
Lee Jin-young had another chance for a grand slam in the same inning, but South Korea finished the fifth following a double-play against him.
However Jeong Keun-woo showed Korea's power in the bottom of sixth.
Following Korean leadoff Lee Jong-wook heading to first through a single, South Korea's smallest player Jeong hit the first pitch he faced over the fence.
While the Olympic gold medallists aired their prowess, Taiwan seemed to lose concentration being taken in double-plays five times.
South Korea manager Kim In-sik sent four pitchers to the mound, saving his men and their pitching numbers for the next match against Japan.
The number of pitches per game determines eligibility for the following match.
South Korea meets Japan tonight at 7 p.m. again at the Tokyo Dome Stadium.