Lotte`s Lee Sunk Mariners` Sasaki

Star Japanese ML players like Ichiro Suzuki learned a lesson the hardest way from "unknown" South Korean pro baseball players.

It happened yesterday in a practice game between South Korean Lotte Giants and Seattle Mariners held at the Peoria Stadium in Arizona, USA. Mariners mobilized its best members in preparation for the ML exhibition game scheduled for the next day.

Mariners put Garcia, who recorded 16 wins last season, on the mound to begin with, and composed the offense centered around Ichiro Suzuki, along with McLemore, Martinez and Olerud. To back up Garcia, Mariners sent in all of its three Japanese pitchers such as Sasaki, Hasegawa and Shigetosi.

Although it lost the game 8-1, Lottle players taught a lesson to the Japanese players the hard way.

Kim Young-soo, who took the mound first, ground out Ichiro in the first. He shut out the first inning with two strikeouts. For three, Ichiro, one of the best hitters in the Major League, failed to make out even one hit against Lotte pitchers. All he got was a walk in the third.

Lee Dong-wook, a literally unknown infielder even among South Koreans, did the most impressive performance. In the fourth, he was sent in as a substitute for first baseman Park Hyun-seung. In the top seventh, he punched a solo homer over the left fence against Mariners` best reliever Sasaki.

At full count, Lee hit back the straight ball flying into his inside, and flew it over the fence. Lee said, "I though I had nothing to lose, and shot it back. Then, it was a homer. Simply I was luck."

Graduating from Dongrae High School and Dong A University, he started his pro career in 1997. For the past 7 years, however, he remained in the minor league. Upon manager Back In-chun taking the helm, he was promoted to the 1st league. Living up to Back`s expectation, he recorded a batting average of 0.268, 3 homers and 20 RBI in 79 games last year.

In addition to the rivalry between Korean and Japanese players, the contest between two relatives drew the attention. Lotte`s Park Chung-tae and Mariners` Shin Soo Choo confronted each other. Choo, taking place of Ichiro in the 6th, recorded 0-for-1 with a walk. His uncle Park got grounded out in the 4th as a pinch hitter. When Choo stood at bat, Park cheered for his nephew.

Wrapping up its training in the United States with the practice game against Mariners, Lotte moves over to Japan, and trains there until March 13th.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com