Outfielder’s Defense Key Against Japan

Korean right fielder Lee Jin-yeong (SK) preserved Korea’s 2-1 victory over Japan yesterday with a laser-like throw to home that prevented a Japanese run.

Lee’s defensive skills had turned the tide of a match before, in Korea’s first game against Japan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) on March 5 in Tokyo, with Japan leading 0-2 and the bases loaded, Lee caught a hard-hit ball by Nishioka Tsuyoshi (Lotte) to end the threat.

Lee’s defense shone again in the WBC quarterfinal match against Japan at Anaheim yesterday. With two outs and runner on second in the second inning, Japan’s Satozaki Tomoya (Lotte) stroked a base hit that fell in front of the right fielder. With both teams itching to score their first run, Iwamura Akinori (Yakult) broke for home. But Lee’s throw to the plate found catcher Jo In-sung’s mitt on one hop, and Imamura was tagged out by a hair’s breadth.

Lee had been a left-handed pitching prospect in his Gunsan Commercial High School years.

The mood in the Korean dugout was jubilant after the throw. Lee got a big hug from pitcher Park Chan-ho in front of the dugout at the end of the inning.

In contrast, Team Japan appeared frustrated by the throw.

Neither of the two teams managed to score until the eighth. When it came, Korea did not miss what would be its only opportunity. With one out and runners on second and third, Lee Jong-beom doubled off Fujikawa Kyuji (Hanshin), driving in both.

Korean pitching staff remained stingy (ERA: 1.33) in yesterday’s match. Starter Park Chan-ho lasted through five, allowing four base hits and no runs. Korea’s bullpen, comprised of Jeon Byeong-du, Kim Byung-hyun, and Koo Dae-sung, did their part as well. With Korea leading 1-2 into the ninth, pitcher Oh Seung-hwan took the mound with one out and runner on first; and closed the game for Korea by striking out Imae Toshiaki (Lotte) and Tamura Hitoshi (Yokohama) to earn his first save in WBC play.

uni@donga.com