South Korea starting pitcher Lee Ro-woon delivered six steady innings against Taiwan on November 14 at Tokyo Dome during the Asia Professional Baseball Championship.
Manager Ryu Ji-hyun’s squad entered the third round of the tournament following losses to Australia and Japan. South Korea needed a victory against Taiwan to gain an advantage in the Team Quality Balance standings and secure a berth in the final round.
Lee surrendered three runs on three hits, including two home runs, while striking out nine batters over 97 pitches. The right-hander walked two batters before handing the ball over to left-hander Cho Dong-wook.
Lee retired the side in order in the first inning by striking out Chang Jen-wei, Chang Szu-lin, and Kuo Tien-hsin. He returned in the second to retire Wang Nien-hao on a popup before walking Ma Chieh-sen.
South Korea broke open the game in the bottom of the third inning. Park Jae-hyun hit a solo home run travelling 115 meters, followed by an RBI single from Kim Hwi-ik and another run-scoring hit by In Seok.
Tseng Sheng-an tagged Lee for a 115-meter solo home run in the fifth inning. Chang Jen-wei added a two-run blast travelling 110 meters later in the frame following a walk to Chang Hsiang.
Lee rebounded to retire Kuo Tien-hsin, Wang Nien-hao, and Ma Chieh-sen in order during the sixth inning. His final line stood at six innings pitched, three runs allowed, nine strikeouts, and two walks.
Kim Do-young extended South Korea’s lead in the fifth inning with a 120-meter home run to right-center field. Park added an RBI double in the sixth to build a 5-3 lead before the bullpen took over.
