Olympic Semifinals, Friday Aug 22, 2008

Korea 6, Japan 2
Korea advances to the Gold Medal game by putting up four runs in the eighth, two on a home run by first baseman Seungyuop Lee. Korean starting pitcher Kwanghyun Kim went eight innings, allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out five. Japan just couldn’t put together enough big hits—all six of their hits were singles. For what it’s worth, the undefeated Korea owns Japan. That’s two wins in the 2006 WBC and two more in the 2008 Olympics, against only one (albeit pivotal) loss in the ’06 Classic. Korean fan blood lust is somewhat mollified by this victory, and they’re sure to bring out the Thundersticks for tomorrow’s ultimate game. Boxscore.


Cuba 10, United States 2
Not that there was really any question heading into this game, but Cuba proved beyond a shadow of a doubt what nation had the better squad. Like the Korea-Japan game, the eighth inning put this game out of reach. Cuba exploded for six runs off USA pitchers Jeff Stevens and Neal Blaine: Alexei Belle cranked a three-run homer that was followed, three batters later, by a three-run bomb from Ariel Pestano. Alfredo Despaigne also homered in this match. Cuban starter Norge Luis Vega improves to 2-0, while relief pitcher Pedro Luis Lazo went three innings to notch his second save. USA starter Stephen Strasburg didn’t pitch too poorly; he worked four innings and allowed only two earned runs while striking out five. Cuba advances to the Gold Medal game, where they’ll play Korea—the only team to beat them thus far in the 2008 Olympics. The USA will face off with Japan for Bronze Medal bragging rights. Boxscore.