The US team did a credible imitation of the 2004 Yankees as they dropped a 7-3 decision to undefeated Korea at Anaheim last night. Dontrelle Willis was hit hard again for the second start in a row and Dan Wheeler gave up a killer three run shot that got around Anaheim's version of the Pesky Pole. Meanwhile Team USA stranded eleven runners.
The top two teams in the pool (Korea, USA, Japan and Mexico) will advance to the semifinals. If multiple teams end up with the same record the aggregate runs allowed will determine who advances. So by losing to Korea and giving up 7 runs to boot the US is nearly back in the same position it was in Round 1 where their destiny could be out of their hands. And this time without South Africa to beat on.
Odiferous.
Murray Chass at the NYT relates that the South Korean government will grant a waiver from the mandatory 26 month military service for all team members if they reach the semifinals. Good incentive I am sure but also outrageous. That's the act, frankly, of a banana republic.
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