South Korea’s 10-Game Losing Streak to Japan in Baseball Continues
游戏的转折点
READ MORE: The national baseball teams of South Korea and Japan faced off in a thrilling warm-up game in Tokyo yesterday, with Japan emerging victorious, 11-4. This marquee match-up was the first in the 2025K Baseball Series, and it was anything but Ordinary.
早期良好开端
Korea started strong, leading 3-0 midway through the fourth inning. Shin Min-jae initiated the scoring with a double, followed by Ahn Hyun-min’s two-run homer and Son Sung-moon’s solo shot, all coming off Japan’s starting pitcher, Daisuke Moriura.
Bullpen Struggles and Japan’s Comeback
Kwak Bin’s pitching in the 4th inning proved to be the turning point. After a sketchy call by umpire Jen Pawol (that denied Korea a crucial infield hit), the Korean bullpen crumbled. Six runs in the 5th inning, highlighted by Yukimichi Kishida’s three-run home run, put Japan comfortably ahead.
“The bullpen just collapsed
“
Coach Ryu Ji-hyun
-Japan’s Tenth Consecutive Win
Japan added four more runs in the 7th and 8th innings, ensuring their 10th consecutive victory over Korea in international tournaments featuring first-team professional players. Korea scored one lone point in the 8th inning, thanks to Shin Min-jae’s aggressive base running.
preview: The Rematch
Korea will face Japan again today, aiming to snap their decade-long losing streak in the second warm-up match at 7pm local time.
Did you know?
- THE Korea-Japan rivalry in baseball is one of the oldest and most intense in the sport, dating back to the 1960s.
- Japan’s last loss to Korea in a tournament featuring first-team professional players was in the 2015 Premier12 semifinals.
What’s Next?
Can Korea finally beat Japan again, or will the streaking Japanese team extend their dominance? Find out in our exclusive coverage of today’s rematch.