Starters Kwak Bin and Choi Seung-yong pitched 2 scoreless innings… The bullpen shows off its solidity.
The batting lineup, which was slow in the first game, picked up the batting pace in the second game… Donghee Yoon home run
The Korean baseball team, led by coach Ryu Joong-il, erased concerns about its strength through two evaluation games with the Cuban national team.
The Korean baseball team recorded a 13-3 victory in the second game of the Premier 12 warm-up match (2024 K-Baseball Series with Teabing) against Cuba held at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 2nd.
As a result, Korea won both friendly matches against Cuba. In the first game of the friendly match against Cuba held the previous day, the team won 2-0 thanks to the pitching staff’s excellent performance.
Korea, which faces Cuba in the Premier 12 preliminary round, raised the mood by finishing the mock exam with two wins.
Initially, there was a question mark over the national team mound. Starting pitchers such as Won Tae-in (Samsung Lions), Moon Dong-ju (Hanwha Eagles), and Son Ju-young (LG Twins) left the team due to injuries.
However, Kwak Bin and Choi Seung-yong (Doosan Bears), who were in charge of starting duties in this evaluation match, completed their duties with impressive pitching, alleviating concerns.
Kwak Bin pitched well in the first game of the friendly match against Cuba, allowing one hit, two strikeouts, and no runs in two innings, while Choi Seung-yong, who appeared in the second game, pitched two innings with three hits and no runs.
The luxurious bullpen, featuring five closing pitchers including Park Young-hyun (KT Wiz), Kim Taek-yeon (Doosan), Jeong Hae-young (KIA Tigers), Cho Byeong-hyun (SSG Landers), and Yoo Young-chan (LG Twins), lived up to expectations.
In Game 1, seven bullpen pitchers combined for seven scoreless innings, contributing to the team’s victory. Park Young-hyun, Jo Byeong-hyun, Kim Seo-hyun (Hanwha), and Yoo Young-chan ended the inning with a three-way throw.
So Hyun-jun (KT), Jeon Sang-hyeon (KIA), and Jeong Hae-young played in the second game and pitched one inning each without allowing a run.
The national team’s weakened batting lineup was also a concern due to the absence of Koo Ja-wook (Samsung Lions), Kang Baek-ho (KT), and Noh Si-hwan
In the first game, Korea started attacking the Cuban mound, led by the ‘cleanup trio’ Kim Do-young, Park Dong-won, and Moon Bo-kyung, but they only produced 2 runs on 8 hits. Even with the win, the batting line’s performance was not satisfactory.
However, the batters showed a different side by showing off their hot hitting skills in the second game. He destroyed the Cuban mound with 14 hits, producing 13 runs.
Dong-Hee Yoon opened the scoring with a 1-run home run, and Lee Joo-Hyung (Kiwoom Heroes) hit a 2-RBI double. Song Seong-moon (Kiwoom) supported with multiple hits and 1 RBI.
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Baseball Expert Dr. Lee Joon-suk on Korea’s Performance Against Cuba
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Lee! It’s great to have you with us to discuss the recent warm-up matches between the Korean baseball team and Cuba. Korea secured two impressive victories—what does this say about the team’s readiness for the upcoming Premier12 tournament?
Dr. Lee: Thank you for having me! These victories are significant both strategically and psychologically. They show that the Korean team has the depth and resilience needed, especially with some of its star players out due to injuries. Winning 2-0 in the first game and then dominating 13-3 in the second is a great way to build confidence.
Editor: Indeed, that second game really stood out! What did you think of the pitching performances, particularly from Kwak Bin and Choi Seung-yong?
Dr. Lee: Both pitchers showed exceptional control and command on the mound. Kwak Bin’s performance in the first game—allowing only one hit and securing two strikeouts—was particularly impressive for a young pitcher. Choi Seung-yong continued the momentum in the second game, pitching two scoreless innings despite giving up three hits. These performances have alleviated a lot of concerns about the starting rotation, especially with key players sidelined.
Editor: Speaking of concerns, there was a lot of chatter regarding the national team’s batting lineup before these matches. How do you think the hitters responded to those challenges?
Dr. Lee: That’s a great point! Initially, the batting lineup struggled, as evidenced in the first game with only two runs. However, the turnaround in the second game was remarkable. Hitting 14 times and scoring 13 runs is a powerful statement. Players like Donghee Yoon, who opened the scoring with a home run, and Lee Joo-hyung with his critical 2-RBI double, demonstrated the team’s potential to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Editor: The bullpen also had a strong showing, right? How do you evaluate their performance across these two games?
Dr. Lee: Absolutely! The bullpen’s performance was stellar. Seven different bullpen pitchers combined for seven scoreless innings in the first game. That’s a testament to both their talent and the depth of the roster. Having five closers available, like Park Young-hyun and Kim Taek-yeon, gives coach Ryu Joong-il a lot of options, which is crucial in a tournament setting.
Editor: With these two wins, Korea seems to have built some momentum heading into the Premier12. What key aspects should they maintain or improve upon as they prepare for more competitive matchups?
Dr. Lee: Maintaining this momentum is vital. They should continue to build on their pitching strategy, as it’s clear the starters are capable of stepping up in high-pressure situations. Furthermore, consistency in the batting lineup is crucial; they need to ensure that they can replicate that offensive explosion against stronger opponents. Adaptability and mental resilience will be key as they face varying styles of play.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lee. It’s been enlightening to delve into the details of the Korean team’s performance. We look forward to following their progress at the Premier12 tournament!
Dr. Lee: Thank you for having me! I’m excited as well—let’s see how the team performs on the international stage!