Tokyo: South Korea lost to Chinese Taipei 5-4 in extra innings at the World Baseball Classic (WBC), coming out on the wrong end of a back-and-forth battle with multiple lead changes. The game concluded Pool C play for Chinese Taipei with a record of 2-2, while South Korea's record dropped to 1-2.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Chinese Taipei broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the 10th inning and successfully stranded the tying run at second base in the bottom half at Tokyo Dome. South Korea, after suffering two consecutive losses following their opening win over Czechia, is scheduled to conclude the first round against Australia at 7 p.m. Monday. The top two teams at the end of pool play on Tuesday will advance to the quarterfinals.
Australia, currently at 2-0, is set to face another unbeaten team, Japan, in Sunday's nightcap at the dome. A victory for Australia would eliminate South Korea from contention. However, if Japan wins, South Korea will have a chance to advance by defeating Australia on Monday, potentially leading to a tiebreaker scenario.
In the event of a tie, head-to-head records are the initial tiebreaker. If Japan defeats Australia and South Korea prevails over Australia, it would result in a three-way tie among South Korea, Australia, and Chinese Taipei, all with 2-2 records. The head-to-head records in this situation would not resolve the deadlock, as Australia defeated Chinese Taipei, who in turn defeated South Korea.
The next tiebreaker would be the lowest quotient of runs allowed by defensive outs among the tied teams. Assuming Australia loses to Japan, South Korea needs to defeat Australia by at least five runs while conceding two or fewer runs in nine innings to advance. South Korea aims to progress beyond the opening round for the first time since 2009.
Chinese Taipei initiated the scoring in the top of the second inning with a solo home run by Chang Yu off starter Ryu Hyun-jin. Ryu managed to escape a two-out, two-on jam in the third inning by striking out Stuart Fairchild. Kim Ju-won led off the third inning with a single, South Korea's first hit off starter Gu Lin Ruei-Yang, but was caught trying to steal second base.
South Korea tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, although they missed an opportunity for a larger lead. A walk and a single against Gu Lin put runners at the corners with no outs, but Shay Whitcomb's double play ball allowed just one run to score against new pitcher Lin Wei-En.
Chinese Taipei regained the lead in the top of the sixth inning, courtesy of Cheng Tsung-Che's solo home run off Gwak Been, who had previously retired six consecutive batters. South Korea responded in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run homer by Kim, taking a 3-2 lead.
Chinese Taipei reclaimed the lead in the top of the eighth inning with Stuart Fairchild's two-run shot, but South Korea tied the game again in the bottom of the eighth inning with Kim Do-yeong's double. The game went to extra innings after South Korea failed to score in the bottom of the ninth inning.
In the top of the 10th inning, Chinese Taipei took a 5-4 lead after a series of strategic plays, including a sacrifice bunt by Chiang Kun-Yu. South Korea had opportunities to tie or win the game in the bottom of the 10th inning but was unable to capitalize, ending the game with a flyout by Kim Do-yeong.
Source: Yonhap News Agency