The South Korean baseball team defeated Japan 3-1 to secure its fifth consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games. Ace pitcher Kwak Bin of the Doosan Bears delivered a stellar performance, while Kim Do-young of the KIA Tigers hit the decisive run in the eighth inning.
Under the leadership of manager Ryu Ji-hyun, the South Korean team triumphed in the final held on September 27 at the Toyohashi Municipal Stadium in Aichi, Japan.
This victory marks Korea's fifth consecutive gold medal, following wins in Guangzhou in 2010, Incheon in 2014, Jakarta-Palembang in 2018, and the 2022 Hangzhou Games held in 2023.
The five consecutive golds in team sports at the Asian Games is only the third occurrence, following the men's and women's handball teams. Additionally, the team avenged a 5-0 loss to a Japanese amateur team in the Super Round on September 25.
Korea broke the deadlock in the second inning when leadoff hitter Yoon Dong-hee of the Lotte Giants hit a double off the right field wall. Moon Hyun-bin of the Hanwha Eagles followed with a timely hit to left-center, giving Korea a 1-0 lead.
Despite several scoring opportunities, Korea struggled to extend its lead. However, Kwak Bin's pitching was exceptional, allowing only one hit through six innings. In the seventh inning, with one out and runners on first and second, he surrendered a single to Sato Yuki, allowing Japan to tie the game at 1-1.
Kwak finished with a line of 6⅓ innings, allowing four hits, two walks, and striking out nine while giving up one run. Relief pitcher Jo Byeong-hyeon of the SSG Landers came in and struck out two batters to prevent further damage.
The go-ahead run came in the eighth inning. Korea started with a double from Kim Ji-chan of the Samsung Lions, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Jo Hyung-woo of SSG, and a walk to Kim Joo-won of the NC Dinos, setting up runners on first and third with one out.
Although a ground ball from Jeong Jun-jae of SSG resulted in a rundown that caught Kim Ji-chan out at third, the inning continued with two outs and runners on first and third. Kim Do-young then hit an infield single to the third baseman, putting Korea ahead 2-1.
Moon Bo-kyung of the LG Twins added an insurance run with a timely hit, extending the lead to 3-1.
With momentum on their side, Korea faced a challenge in the bottom of the eighth when Jo Byeong-hyeon allowed a hit and a center field error put runners on first and second with one out. Manager Ryu brought in closer Park Young-hyun of the KT Wiz, who allowed a single to Mukoyama Motoki, loading the bases. However, he struck out Aizawa Ryosuke and got Yano Yukiya to fly out to left field, escaping the inning without allowing a run.
In the ninth inning, Park maintained his composure, allowing a walk and a hit with two outs but struck out Shibasaki Masato to secure the gold medal for Korea.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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