South Korea’s lone Major League Baseball player provided the big hit in the first inning. Choo Shin-Soo of the Cleveland Indians hit a three-run shot off of Venezuelan starter Carlos Silva.

Choo Shin-Soo Celebrates First Inning Blast (Image: Newscom)

On the mound, South Korea got a huge performance from Yoon Suk-Min. Only 22-years-old, Yoon gave up only two earned runs, seven hits and one walk in 6.1 innings, while striking out four batters. His ERA during the 2009 World Baseball Classic is a sparkling 1.12.

International success isn’t a foreign concept to South Korea. In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, they were able to win the gold medal in baseball.

Now South Korea will play the winner of the United States versus Japan matchup for the championship of the World Baseball Classic. Roy Oswalt will get the start for the U.S. and Daisuke Matsuzaka will start for Japan in the game that is to be played on Sunday.

The championship game will take place on Monday in Dodger Stadium.

Post from: Knuckle Curve