(WBC) S. Korean starter Chang Won-jun shaky vs. Israel in opener

All News 20:40 March 06, 2017

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, March 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korean starter Chang Won-jun was shaky against Israel in the opening game of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Monday, leaving the game with his team behind 1-0 after four innings.

The left-hander gave up a run on two hits and three walks in those four frames, as his night at Gocheok Sky Dome was cut short under the tournament's pitch count rules.

In the first round, pitchers may not throw more than 65 pitches. The cap is 80 pitches a game in the second round, and 95 pitches per game in the semifinals and the final.

South Korean starter Chang Won-jun scratches his head after completing the fourth inning against Israel at the World Baseball Classic at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 6, 2017. (Yonhap)

Chang threw exactly 65 pitches to get through his four innings, 27 of them came in the second inning when Israel scored its first run.

Chang walked Nate Freiman to start the inning and promptly gave up a double to Zach Bornstein. The southpaw struck out the next batter but then walked Ryan Lavarnway to load the bases.

Chang issued his third walk of the inning to Tyler Krieger, letting in the game's first run.

Right-hander Sim Chang-min relieved Chang to start the fifth inning.

Chang's fastball topped out at 143 km/h (88.9 mph), and was unable to find the zone with any consistency as Israel hitters worked the count deep.

At his pre-game press conference, South Korean manager Kim In-sik said Chang was his best starter and he trusted him to deliver the goods in the crucial opening game.

Chang, a 15-game winner for the 2016 Korea Baseball Organization champions Doosan Bears, has been one of South Korea's most consistent and durable starters. The work horse has tossed at least 150 innings in each of the past nine seasons. Chang has won at least 10 games in seven consecutive seasons.

At least on Monday night, Chang wasn't quite himself and forced South Korea to play catch-up.

For Israel, right-hander Jason Marquis, a 15-year major league veteran, held South Korea to just two singles in three shutout innings. He threw 45 pitches across three innings and was lifted for right-hander Zach Thornton.

Only two batted balls left the infield for South Korea against Marquis, who allowed a base runner in each of his three innings.

Marquis' only jam came in the bottom third. He gave up a two-out infield single to Seo Geon-chang, who then stole second. Marquis then struck out No. 3 hitter Kim Tae-kyun to end the rally.