South Korea starter Ko Young-pyo was knocked out after surrendering home runs to Japan's Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki in the third inning.
Ko started the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C second-round game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7. He allowed solo shots to Ohtani and Suzuki in the bottom of the third and was pulled.
Ko issued a walk to Ohtani earlier, then gave up a two-run homer to Suzuki on a full count with one out and a runner on first.
Ko went 2 2/3 innings with four strikeouts, allowing three hits and one walk for four runs. All three hits he allowed were home runs.
Ko, of the KT Wiz, is known as a groundball pitcher. From 2021 to 2023, he won at least 10 games in three straight seasons, and posted ERAs in the 2.00s in 2021 and 2023.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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