Holders Japan took a big step towards finishing first in Group B of the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS and qualifying for the second round after an impressive 3-1 victory over hosts China Taipei in a sold-out match on Saturday at the Taipei Dome.
In front of a noisy crowd of 34,882 spectators, the No. 1 in the WBSC/KONAMI Men’s Baseball World Rankings proved too strong for the No. 2, scoring three runs in the first four innings, with Chinese Taipei’s only response being a home run by Pei-Fong Dai in the seventh inning.
Japanese starting pitcher Hiroto Saiki pitched five strong scoreless innings, while Sosuke Genda’s fourth-inning home run helped set the tone for Japan to remain the only undefeated team in Group B.
Read more
Meanwhile, an incredible 9-6 victory for South Korea, long led by the Dominican Republic, allows the silver medalists of the last edition to remain in the race for the second round. The 2019 finalists hit their first hit in the bottom of the fifth inning and entered the sixth trailing 6-0. A four-run sixth inning and a five-run eighth inning gave them the victory. Yeonghyun Park, Korea’s sixth pitcher, got the win.
“It’s a difficult defeat to take,” commented Dominican Republic manager César Martin. “(Franklyn) Kilome did a fantastic job. He came out with a 6-0 lead. We decided our relievers could preserve the win for him. We have our best arms rested but of course, that didn’t help. worked.”
“I have to congratulate my players,” said South Korea manager Joon Il Ryu. “They fought and took the opportunities to score, I’m proud of them. It was a great victory.”
Read more
In the first game of the day, a three-run home run by veteran Mexican Baseball League (LMB) hitter Yadir Drake led No. 9 Cuba to a 4-3 victory over No. 15 Australia . It was the country’s first victory in the competition.
The Australian lineup got off to a brilliant start, hitting seven hits in the first four and a third innings, but only added one run until the ninth inning.
Read more
Key information
Key links
