South Korea Crushes Czech Republic with Four Home Runs, Starts Strong in World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic Group C action began Thursday at the Tokyo Dome. In the evening matchup, South Korea declared their determination to erase the shame of recent tournament struggles by blasting four home runs in an 11-4 rout.

Houston Astros infielder Shay Whitcomb launched two homers, while first baseman Bo Gyeong Moon knocked in five runs, working together to give South Korea an opening win. The team's total of four home runs set a new single-game record for Korea in Classic history.

Since reaching the final in 2009, South Korea had not hit more than three homers in a single Classic game. Furthermore, starting in 2013, they were eliminated in the first round for three consecutive tournaments, their Classic journeys consistently brief and disappointing.

Today's victory at the Tokyo Dome marks a powerful first step on South Korea's path back to championship contention. In the first inning, Bo Gyeong Moon seized a high slider with the bases loaded, crushing a 428-foot grand slam to right-center field.

Whitcomb, who has played 20 games for the Astros in each of the past two seasons, added a solo shot to left-center field in the third inning to extend the lead.

The Czech team had scoring opportunities in every inning but left the bases loaded in the second and stranded two more runners in the fourth. In the sixth, former Baltimore Orioles infielder Terrin Vavra hit a three-run homer to right field, narrowing the gap to 3-6.

However, Whitcomb responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning, blasting a two-run homer to left field for his second of the game. Detroit Tigers outfielder Jahmai Jones added another home run in the eighth inning to seal the victory for South Korea.

The Czech Republic will next face Australia, while South Korea is set for a marquee matchup against Japan.