Diamond denouement favors Asia

(BEIJING, August 23) -- In what may be the last Olympic appearance for Baseball, the Republic of Korea and Cuba put on a show for the ages as the Republic of Korea defeated multi-gold winner Cuba Saturday night under the lights of Wukesong Baseball Field, turning the final game into a classic pitchers duel on August 23 at Beijing 2008.

The Olympic Softball tournament was decided in a similar fashion, as Japan knocked off the perennial champions from the United States 3-1. With the Republic of Korea's undefeated run through Beijing, the epicenter of international baseball has clearly shifted across the Pacific.

The Republic of Korea sent Ryu Hyun-jin to the hill Saturday night, and Cuba countered with Norberto Gonzalez. The start was Ryu's second of the tournament; his first was a gem against Canada on August 15. The Republic of Korea lefty went nine shutout innings in that first outing, allowing only five hits and striking out six.

Tonight, the Republic of Korea wasted no time getting on the board, quickly jumping ahead 2-0 courtesy of Lee Seung-yuop's two-run blast to left, driving in Lee Yong-kyu. The homerun was Lee Seung-yuop's second of the tournament.

Cuba came right back in the bottom of the first inning, scoring one run on a Michel Enriquez solo shot.

The 2-1 score stood for the next five innings, with the only significant threat coming from the Republic of Korea in the top of the sixth. With two men on and two away, Lee Dae-ho lined a ball to center that was snared by a diving Giorbis Duvergel.

The Republic of Korea followed through on its threats in the seventh inning when, with two men on, Lee Yong-kyu lined a ball to right that landed just fair and in front of the wall. The hit scored Park Jin-man and put Lee Yong-kyu on second as Lee Jong-wook moved to third. The hit chased Cuban pitcher Pedro Lazo, who never found his stride in relief of Gonzalez. Luis Rodriguez came on for Lazo and retired Kim Hyun-soo on a shallow fly to center.

Alexei Bell challenged the Republic of Korea in the bottom of the inning, blasting a solo shot to left center. The homerun was Bell's second as he added to his torrid tournament-leading .500 average.

Neither team scored in the eighth but Cuba threatened in the ninth inning as the Republic of Korea was unable to manufacture an insurance run in the top of the inning. Hector Olivera led off with a single to left field and Frederich Cepeda was put on base via the walk with one out and the ever dangerous Alexei Bell at the plate. Bell also took a walk that loaded the bases and forced the Republic of Korea to finally go to their bullpen, calling in Chong Taeh-won to relieve Ryu.

Chong forced Yuliesky Gourriel into a 6-4-3 double play as the Republic of Korea won their first gold medal in Olympic Baseball.

This is the Republic of Korea's second Olympic Baseball medal, having taken home a bronze from Sydney 2000. The silver medal was Cuba's second, also from Sydney, to go along with its three gold medals from Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004.

Ryu (2-0) got the win as he went eighth and one-third innings, allowing two runs on five hits and seven strikeouts. Norberto Gonzalez (0-1) suffered the loss for Cuba as he allowed two runs on two hits in five and two-thirds innings of work. Chong was credited with his second save of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Baseball tournament.

Neither Baseball nor its sister sport of Softball will be contested at the London 2012 Olympics. After this sterling display of competition, their reinstatement may well be considered.