'Kwak Bin's 6 innings, 10 strikeouts, no-hitter': South Korea defeats Taiwan 5-0 for first Asian Games victory [Okazaki report]

*This content was translated by AI.

The South Korean national baseball team, aiming for its fifth consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games, opened its campaign with a victory.

Led by manager Ryu Ji-hyun, South Korea defeated Taiwan 5-0 in the first group stage B match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) Asian Games baseball tournament held on the 21st at Okazaki Central General Park Baseball Stadium in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

While it left some regret by allowing only one hit against Taiwan's starting pitcher Lin Yi-wei through five innings, the victory was significant for completely shutting down Taiwan's formidable lineup. In particular, ace Kwak Bin (Doosan Bears) dominated the opposing batters over six innings, displaying an extraordinary presence.

South Korea will face Hong Kong at 6:30 p.m. on the 22nd and Thailand at 2:00 p.m. on the 23rd in the group stage matches 2 and 3. The upcoming Asian Games baseball schedule includes the Super Round on the 25-26, followed by the bronze medal match at noon on the 27th and the gold medal match at 6:30 p.m. on the same day.

South Korea's batting order began with Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers), followed by Moon Hyun-bin and Noh Si-hwan (both Hanwha Eagles), Moon Bo-kyung (LG Twins), Kim Ju-won (NC Dinos), Park Jun-soon (Doosan), Jo Hyung-woo (SSG Landers), Park Jae-hyun (KIA), and Kim Ji-chan (Samsung Lions).

South Korea broke the tie in the second inning. Moon Bo-kyung reached first base on a shortstop error, and after Kim Ju-won's ground ball single to right field and Jo Hyung-woo's walk, they created a bases-loaded opportunity with one out.

Park Jae-hyun's sacrifice fly allowed the runner from third base to score, giving South Korea an early lead. In the following situation with two outs and runners on first and third, however, Kim Ji-chan was retired on a fly ball to right field, failing to add another run.

A crisis emerged in the third inning. Although Kwak Bin had dominated Taiwan's batters by recording three strikeouts through two innings, he allowed his first baserunner via a walk and then faced a bases-empty second-base threat due to a wild pitch.

However, the danger was averted when Noh Si-hwan fielded a sacrifice fly, followed by Kwak Bin striking out two consecutive batters.

While Kwak Bin delivered an outstanding performance, the offense struggled to relieve his burden. Taiwan's starting pitcher was right-hander Lin Yi-wei, a former industrial league player; after South Korea took the lead in the second inning, their batters could not even manage a hit, let alone reach base.

South Korea's lineup managed only one hit through five innings, including three consecutive strikeouts in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, until Lin Yi-wei left the mound after completing five innings.

After Taiwan, South Korea also had Kwak Bin pitch scoreless through six innings before Jo Byeong-hyeon (SSG) took over on the mound.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, South Korea extended its lead. After Moon Bo-kyung drew a walk to lead off the inning, Jung Jun-jae (SSG) entered as a pinch runner. Kim Ju-won's double to center field created a bases-empty first-and-third opportunity. Subsequent batter Park Jun-soon hit a two-run double down the right-field line, scoring the runner from third base.

With runners on second and third and no outs, Jo Hyung-woo's sacrifice fly to center field allowed Kim Ju-won to score, increasing the lead to three runs. However, the subsequent batters failed to deliver, so no additional runs were added.

South Korea kept Jo Byeong-hyeon on the mound throughout the eighth inning to tightly contain Taiwan's lineup. In the following offensive opportunity, after Kim Do-young hit a double to lead off, Noh Si-hwan scored a run via sacrifice fly with one out and runners on first and third. Then, pinch hitter Yoon Dong-hee (Lotte Giants) hit a solo home run, sealing the victory.

Starting pitcher Kwak Bin allowed no hits over six innings, issuing two walks while recording 10 strikeouts, demonstrating overwhelming dominance. Jo Byeong-hyeon, who took over the mound, also pitched two perfect innings without allowing a single hit. Park Young-hyun (KT Wiz), who entered in the ninth inning, closed out the game.

In the batting lineup, Kim Ju-won recorded a multi-hit game with three hits in four at-bats. Kim Do-young, Yoon Dong-hee, and Park Jun-soon also contributed hits.

However, South Korea's offense managed only one hit against Lin Yi-wei, who had no professional experience, through five innings, which was a blow to their pride. Although Lin Yi-wei became the losing pitcher, he showed his presence by pitching five innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run against South Korea's lineup.

Fortunately, South Korea added four more runs against reliever Ryu Ju-rong, solidifying their lead. However, this was not enough to fully alleviate the frustration they had experienced while facing Lin Yi-wei earlier.

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*This content was translated by AI.