By Jason Pan at Taichung Intercontinental Stadium, Chinese Taipei
Taichung. In the final day showdown between two Asian baseball rivals, Korea prevailed over Chinese Taipei 3-2 in the last round-robin game of WBC Pool B schedule.
Despite the defeat, hosts Chinese Taipei gets the nod as top place finisher in this group. They along with the Netherlands and Korea all ended with the same 2-1 record.
Comparing the run differentials of the head-to-head results between the three, it was Team Korea who lose out by only a slight margin and had to return home empty-handed.
The Dutch team as the runner-up joins Chinese Taipei in heading to WBC Round 2.
In the final game, Chinese Taipei led most of the way, scoring one run each in the 3rd and 4th inning. The Koreans overturn the deficit with a three-run explosion in the 8th frame. With two runners on, Korean third baseman Kang Jung Ho blasted a three-run homer to go in front 3-2, and it stayed that way for the game outcome.
Even though they won the contest to salvage some pride, but Team Korea was eliminated. Korean players, along with Korean media and fans, are bitterly disappointed with the result. They go home with a 2-1 record and will rue their many wasted chances.
Before the start of WBC Round 1 play, many had rated Team Korea as the strongest side in Pool B, and believed they would take the top place in this group.
It just not was their day in this final day duel against the hosts. Several close plays did not go their way, and two Korean runners were thrown out at third base and at the home plate.
For the 2008 Olympic gold medalists in baseball and finalist in 2009 WBC, it was a tournament the Koreans would rather like to forget.
On the other hand, it was sweet success for Chinese Taipei, as they secured advancement it in front of 23,431 passionate cheering fans – including about 500 who were Team Korea supporters.
This attendance figure, according to MLB officials at the game, “It is the largest crowd ever to watch a baseball game in Taiwan.” Most of them continued to celebrate inside and outside the ballpark long after the game.
Korea’s 5th pitcher, Jang Won Sam got the win for his efforts (1 IP, 2 H, 1 K, 0 R). The loss was charged to former LA Dodger reliever Hong-Chih Kuo who gave up the three-run homer to Kang in the 8th frame.
About the outcome, Korean manager said his team did not get the timely hits, and their core batters only exploded to score late in the game, and he was disappointed in the hitting performance. He added that Team Korea will have improved preparation and good game plan, and will do better next time.
Chinese Taipei manager Hsieh Chang-Heng said, “We had excellent team work in the three games. The players collectively gave their best effort. We look forward to do our best against the strong teams in the next round of WBC.”
Results Pool B:
Saturday, March 2:
Netherlands 5 – Korea 0
Chinese Taipei 4 – Australia 1
Sunday, March 3:
Chinese Taipei 8 – Netherlands 3
Monday, March 4:
Australia 0 – Korea 6
Tuesday, March 5:
Netherlands 4 – Australia 1
Korea 3 – Chinese Taipei 2
Final Standings Pool B:
1) Chinese Taipei 2-1
2) Netherlands 2-1
3) Korea 2-1
4) Australia
Photo Korean Pitcher Song
