South Korea falls to Taiwan in 10 innings, WBC quarterfinal hopes in jeopardy

South Korea's Kim Do-yeong reacts after a 5-4 loss to Taiwan in a 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game on March 8 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. [Photo by Yonhap]

South Korea’s national baseball team suffered a costly loss to Taiwan, putting its bid for the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in serious doubt.

South Korea, managed by Ryu Ji-hyeon, lost 5-4 to Taiwan in 10 innings on March 8 at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, falling in the tiebreaker format that begins with a runner on second base.

After beating the Czech Republic 11-4 on March 5, South Korea then lost 8-6 to Japan on March 7 and dropped another game against Taiwan to fall to 1-2. It slipped to fourth in Pool C behind Japan and Australia (both 2-0) and Taiwan (2-2). To reach the quarterfinals in Miami, teams must finish in the top two of the pool.

South Korea will be eliminated regardless of its remaining result if Australia beats Japan in their game scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 8.

If Australia loses to Japan, South Korea must beat Australia at 7 p.m. on March 9 at the same venue. That outcome would create a three-way tie at 2-2 among South Korea, Australia and Taiwan.

In that case, second place would be decided by a tiebreaker comparing the ratio of runs allowed to defensive outs recorded in head-to-head games among the tied teams.

South Korea’s pitchers allowed three home runs. Starter Ryu Hyun-jin of the Hanwha Eagles, making his first WBC appearance in 17 years, gave up one run on three hits, including a homer, over three innings. He threw 50 pitches and struck out three.

Kwak Bin of the Doosan Bears allowed a solo homer and gave up one run over 3 1/3 innings on two hits. Dane Dunning of the Seattle Mariners, pitching for the first time in the tournament, surrendered a homer and was charged with two runs over 1 2/3 innings on two hits.

The offense struggled, managing four hits through 10 innings. Kim Do-yeong had two hits and drove in three runs, but it was not enough.

The game turned in the 10th. Taiwan opened the inning with a runner on second and attempted a sacrifice bunt, but South Korea first baseman Shay Whitcomb of the Houston Astros made an errant throw to third, putting runners on first and third with no outs. Taiwan then scored on a bunt toward first base to take a 5-4 lead.

South Korea failed to score in the bottom of the 10th and lost the game.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Kang Sang Heon