Korea blanks Taiwan 9-0 in first WBC match

TOKYO, March 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea got off to a good start in the regional
round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic by routing Taiwan 9-0 Friday, boosted by
outfielder Lee Jin-young's grand slam in the first inning.

Lee, who played superb defense in the previous WBC, slammed a homer against
Taiwan's starter Lee Chen, following infielder Kim Tae-kyun's two-scoring hit to
allow South Korea to take the lead in the game held in Tokyo.
South Korea's starter Ryu Hyun-jin, who made an impressive showing against Cuba
at the Beijing Olympics finals last summer, struck out three batters, walked one
and gave up one hit in three innings.
At the bottom sixth, outfielder Jeong Keun-woo hit a two-run homer, and after Ryu
stepped down at the fourth inning, three relievers shut out Taiwan completely.
Cleveland Indians player Choo Shin-soo, the only major leaguer in the Korean
squad, produced a hit despite an elbow injury.
On Saturday, Korea will take on arch rival Japan, who defeated China 4-0 on
Thursday, in a match that will determine the top leader of the Asian regional
round. Only two teams of four Asian nations will advance to the next round
scheduled to start on March 14 in the United States.
South Korea reached the semifinals during the inaugural tournament in 2006, while
Japan became a surprise champion by beating Cuba at the final.
brk@yna.co.kr
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