'Kim Do-young's top three-run one-man show is also useless' 韓패배, lost to Taiwan 4-5 after Korea → quarterfinals uncertain [Tokyo Field Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Do-young's bat soared high into the sky at Tokyo Dome, but the last goddess of victory did not smile at Korea. Kim Do-young fought hard, sweeping three RBIs alone, including a come-from-behind home run, but South Korea suffered a come-from-behind defeat by Taiwan after a bloody close game, making it uncertain to advance to the quarterfinals.

The Korean national baseball team, led by head coach Ryu Ji-hyun, lost 4-5 to Taiwan in the third Group C match of 2026 WBC at Tokyo Dome in Japan on the 8th. After repeated reversal and reversal, they tied the game in the eighth inning, trailing 3-4, but lost by one point after a game.

The loss cost South Korea one win and two losses in the group stage, losing its place in the quarterfinals. After two consecutive losses, Taiwan revived with two consecutive wins.

South Korea has lined up in the order of Kim Do-young (third baseman), Germay Jones (left wing, Detroit Tigers), Lee Jung-hoo (middle fielder, San Francisco Giants), Ahn Hyun-min (right wing, KT Wiz), Shay Witcom (first baseman, Houston Astros), Moon Bo-kyung (designated hitter, LG Twins), Kim Joo-won (striker, NC Dinos), Park Dong-won (catcher, LG Twins) and Kim Hye-sung (second baseman, LA Dodgers). The starting pitcher was left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin (39, Hanwha Eagles).

Taiwan's batting order was composed in the order of Zheng Zheng (second baseman), Chen Chen Wei (left wing), Stuart Fairchild (middle fielder), Zhang Yucheng (third baseman), Lin Yeng-ting (first baseman), Lin An-ker (right wing), Gilligilau Gongkuan (designated hitter), Lin Jia-jeong (captor), and Kang Kun-yu (striker). Right-hander Gurinrui Yang (26, Nippon Ham Fighters) took the mound as the starting pitcher.

The share of the first place was Taiwan. In the top of the second inning, leadoff hitter Jang Wi-cheong hit an 87.6 mph (about 141 km) four-seam fastball that was well attached to his body from a ball count of one ball to hit the left fence. Taiwan took a 1-0 lead first.

Taiwan's dominance continued until the top of the fifth inning, but South Korea balanced it at the bottom of the fifth inning. Leading hitter Ahn Hyun-min drew a walk, and Moon Bo-kyung also had a heavy hit to take the opportunity to first and third bases with no outs. Here, Witcom hit a grounder to shortstop. It was a double play, but third baseman Ahn Hyun-min homered to make it 1-1.

However, in the top of the sixth inning, leadoff hitter Jung Zong-er hit Kwak Bin's six-ball 96.6-mile (about 155km) fastball in a full count situation to hit it over the center fence. Again, Taiwan took a 2-1 lead.

At the end of the sixth inning, Korea turned the tables again.. Leading hitter Park Dong-won succeeded in getting on base with a walk. Kim Hye-sung struck out, but Kim Do-young hit a 94.1-mile (about 151km) fastball on the body of left-hander Lin Wen and crossed the left fence. The distance was enormous. He hit the top of the Tokyo Dome with a whopping 390 feet (about 120 meters). With a home run, South Korea turned the game around 3-2.

In the top of the eighth inning, Taiwan made a comeback. Kang Kun-wi went out with a left-handed hit and Jung Zong-jeo's sacrifice bunt made it one out and second base. Chen Chun-wei hit a straight hit to right field, but Stuart Fairchild made it 4-3 with a two-run home run leaving the right fence.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, South Korea did not give up and tied the game. After the 2nd out, Kim Hye-sung got a walk after a close game of full count, and Kim Do-young tied it again with a timely double that separated the right-center.

The game was decided by the game. In the top of the 10th inning, Lin Ja-jung hit a bunt at second base with no outs to make it first and third base with no outs, and Kang Kun-yu led 5-4 with a squeeze bunt. In the bottom of the 10th inning, Kim Hyung-joon succeeded in a sacrifice bunt with no outs and second base. Kim Hye-sung hit a ground ball to the first base, but third baseman Kim Joo-won was out after digging home. Until the last time, Kim Do-young stepped down with a foul fly to right field and knelt as it was.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.