Related News
Japan sets up US showdown
Source: Agencies |
March 21, 2009, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
DEFENDING World Baseball Classic champion Japan knocked off South Korea 6-2 on Thursday to claim a top seeding for this weekend's semifinals.
Japan will take on the United States on Sunday night in Dodger Stadium, while Korea faces Venezuela today. The winners meet for the title at the same venue on Monday.
In Thursday's tune up, Akinori Iwamura finished 2-for-4 and added an RBI single that led to another score on an outfield error during Japan's three-run eighth inning that broke a 2-2 tie.
Pinch-hitter Michihiro Ogasawara had the go-ahead single in the inning and was 2-for-2.
"That was a tense moment," Ogasawara told reporters. "The opportunity was right there and I walked right into it. I was tenacious and I was able to produce something in that at-bat."
In the fourth meeting between the teams in the competition, Korea starter Wonsam Jang allowed two runs (one earned) in three innings.
Korea's Bum Ho Lee tied the contest with a solo home run to center field in the seventh but the team's relief could not hold off Japan.
It took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning that was wiped out by a Seiichi Uchikawa solo homer and Yasuyuki Kataoka's RBI single in the second.
Japan clinched a berth in the semifinals by beating Cuba 5-0 on Wednesday and it will be looking to win a second straight title with Boston Red Sox ace Daisuke Matsuzaka likely to start against USA's Jake Peavy.
"I have a great respect for American baseball," said Japan manager Tatsunori Hara. "Here is a great opportunity right in front of me. I'm so excited about that."
Japan will take on the United States on Sunday night in Dodger Stadium, while Korea faces Venezuela today. The winners meet for the title at the same venue on Monday.
In Thursday's tune up, Akinori Iwamura finished 2-for-4 and added an RBI single that led to another score on an outfield error during Japan's three-run eighth inning that broke a 2-2 tie.
Pinch-hitter Michihiro Ogasawara had the go-ahead single in the inning and was 2-for-2.
"That was a tense moment," Ogasawara told reporters. "The opportunity was right there and I walked right into it. I was tenacious and I was able to produce something in that at-bat."
In the fourth meeting between the teams in the competition, Korea starter Wonsam Jang allowed two runs (one earned) in three innings.
Korea's Bum Ho Lee tied the contest with a solo home run to center field in the seventh but the team's relief could not hold off Japan.
It took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning that was wiped out by a Seiichi Uchikawa solo homer and Yasuyuki Kataoka's RBI single in the second.
Japan clinched a berth in the semifinals by beating Cuba 5-0 on Wednesday and it will be looking to win a second straight title with Boston Red Sox ace Daisuke Matsuzaka likely to start against USA's Jake Peavy.
"I have a great respect for American baseball," said Japan manager Tatsunori Hara. "Here is a great opportunity right in front of me. I'm so excited about that."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
