Korea manager declares unwavering faith in team after loss to Japan
Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun, center, watches his team in action against Japan at the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Saturday. Yonhap
TOKYO — Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun claimed Sunday his faith in his squad did not waver in the aftermath of a narrow loss to Japan at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) from the previous night.
After beating Czechia 11-4 on Thursday to begin Pool C play at Tokyo Dome, Korea absorbed an 8-6 loss to Japan on Saturday. Korea blew a 3-0 lead and then failed to score with the bases loaded in the eighth inning.
A quick turnaround will have Korea take on Chinese Taipei at noon Sunday at the dome, and Ryu said he didn't think fatigue will be an issue.
"We knew the schedule all along, and I didn't see anything out of norm from my players," Ryu said. "I trust that my players will play a good game today."
Ryu also said one loss, albeit an emotional one, won't affect how his team will go about its business.
"My faith in my players does not change, even though we didn't get the result we wanted last night, and the core of this team won't collapse just because we lost one game," Ryu said. "If we had won last night, then I would have told the team not to get too carried away by excitement. But after a loss, whatever I say will come across like nagging."
Ryu said captain Lee Jung-hoo has done a great job of rallying the troops and delivering timely pregame speeches.
"In an important game like this, it's up to the players to get on the same page and battle together as one," Ryu said. "My job is to stay in the background and support them any way I can."
Ryu made lineup changes against Chinese Taipei. Moon Bo-gyeong will move up a spot to return to No. 5 hole and trade places with Shay Whitcomb, who homered twice against Czechia but went 0-for-4 against Japan.
Also, Moon will serve as designated hitter (DH) after playing first base in the first two games. Whitcomb will move across the diamond to take over first base, and Kim Do-yeong, DH in the two earlier games, will play third base.
Moon ran hard into the fence while chasing a foul fly during Saturday's game and Ryu said he was dealing with some lingering back pains.
Kim Do-yeong, who has been batting leadoff in the tournament, said he likes the way he has been swinging the bat.
Kim led off the Japan game with a single that led to a three-run first inning for Korea.
"I was happy to have contributed to our offense. I felt really good in the first inning and it's just a shame I wasn't able to sustain that the rest of the way," Kim said. "I am looking forward to this game. I will try to bring more energy at the plate."