Korea suffers devastating loss to Netherlands at WBC
The Korean national baseball team’s first baseman Lee Dae-ho, left, watches as Randolph Oduber of the Netherlands rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning during the two team’s World Baseball Classic baseball game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Tuesday. The Netherlands won 5-0. / Yonhap
By Baek Byung-yeul
Korea suffered a devastating 5-0 loss to the Netherlands in their second game of the World Baseball Classic, Tuesday.
At the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, the Dutch team pounded in 11 hits including two home runs in the first-round Pool A meeting.
It was a devastating loss for Korea, who tried to erase the memory of a first round exit at the 2013 event. Given that Korea already suffered a 2-1 loss to Israel, Monday, and Israel defeated Chinese Taipei 15-7 earlier Tuesday, the loss to the Netherlands has made it virtually impossible for Korea to advance to the next round, in which the top two teams from the group advance. If the Netherlands beats Chinese Taipei, Wednesday, Korea will be eliminated from the event.
Starting pitcher Woo Kyu-min struggled from the first inning.
In the bottom of the first, the Netherlands’ lead-off Andrelton Simmons hit a single on a sharp line drive to left field and No.2 hitter Jurickson Profar homered to right field to build 2-0 lead.
Woo allowed one more run in the following inning. Though he struck out Curt Smith and Dashenko Ricardo, Randolph Oduber hit a single and Simmons doubled on a line drive to left field to score Oduber.
The Dutch team added two more runs with two-run homer in the sixth.
With two outs, Ricardo hit a single against Korea’s second pitcher Won Jong-hyun and Oduber smashed a two-run shot to left center field to make the score 5-0.
The Dutch team started Rick van den Hurk who spent two seasons with the Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). While Woo struggled from the beginning, Van den Hurk had a scoreless four innings allowing only three hits.
In the top second, Korea’s first baseman Lee Dae-ho hit a single but right fielder Son Ah-seop squandered the chance by hitting into a double play. Another double play came in the following inning against Van den Hurk. With one out and runners at first and second base, second baseman Seo Geon-chang hit into a double play.
Korea will take on Chinese Taipei, Thursday at 6:30 p.m.