Doyeong Kim homers twice, takes Korea over Cuba

World No. 6 Korea defeated No. 9 Cuba, 8-4, in a Taipei Tianmu Stadium that Korean fans and their impressive cheerleading team made electric. Korea took control of the game with a six-run second at-bat, capped by superstar Doyeong Kim's grand slam. Manager Joong-Il Ryu didn't hesitate to go to the bullpen early.

"Overall, I think it was a good performance," commented Ryu postgame. "Of course, the second inning was crucial. I also want to credit our starting pitcher [Been Gwak], who did what we expected and found his rhythm early."

Cuba's bats came alive late and couldn't go beyond spoiling Korea's rotation plans.

"It's a fact that some of our best hitters aren't performing up to expectations," commented Cuba's manager Armando Johnson. "Tonight our best pitcher couldn't get the job done. I'm glad we could fight back in the late innings."

Korea broke the score open in the bottom of the second. First baseman Dogyeong Moon reached on a two-out double and touched third when shortstop Shonghan Park followed with a base hit to the opposite field. Cuban shortstop Arisbel Arruebarruena dove to get to a hard liner by Wonjun Choi on the first hop, but couldn't prevent Moon from scoring.

Moinelo loaded the bases with a walk and hit the next batter, making it a 2-0 game. Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league's All-Star third baseman Doyeong Kim was all over Moinelo's first offering and turned it into a monster grand slam beyond the left-field wall, extending Korea's lead to 6-0.

"I'm very happy for my performance," said Kim during the postgame press conference. "Their starter's fastball was creating problems, and I'm glad I found the solution. Individual performances count, but the ultimate goal is winning."

"Believe me, this kid has a bright future ahead," Johnson commented in response to a direct question from the Korean press.

Yusniel Padron took over for Moinelo in the bottom of the third and shut out Korea for three innings. He allowed a walk to start the sixth and left for Pavel Bruce. Wonjun Choi got to the reliever with a two-out single to increase the gap to 7-0.

Korea's starter Been Gwak showed a fastball sitting in the mid-nineties (or 151 kilometres per hour) and a nasty off-speed pitch. He cruised through four innings, then left with runners at second and first and no one out in the top of the fifth after allowing back-to-back walks.

"The six runs helped me work without pressure," said Gwak, who started 31 games for the Doosan Bears in 2024. "I'm glad the bullpen completed what I started. The team is the most important thing."

Former KBO Rookie of the Year Hyeongjun So worked two quick outs, then hit Yoan Moncada to load the bases. The third baseman had to leave the game, and Roberto Baldoquin took over.

"Moncada's wrist is sore," said Johnson, "but there's no fracture. Let's see if the bruise gets better. We need Moncada, but we won't rush him. We respect his health and we want to protect his future career."

.Cuba got on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh against Youngha Lee, the fourth Korean reliever. With the bases loaded and two outs, Alfredo Despaigne's comebacker hopped over Lee's head and allowed Andrys Perez to score from third.

It took only one pitch to Doyeong Kim to give Korea a seven-run lead again. The third baseman homered on Bruce's first offering.

Taekyeon Kim took the mound for Korea in the top of the eighth. The Doosan Bears closer threw nine pitches and couldn't get an out. Centre fielder Yoelkis Guibert hit a two-run homer, and pinch hitter Rafael Vinales went back-to-back with a solo shot, making it an 8-4 game.

Haiyoung Jung took care of the rest of the at-bat.

KT Wiz 23-year-old closer Yeonghyun Park threw a perfect ninth to end the game.

Korea (1-1) will play their third game on Friday, November 15, against No. 1 Japan (1-0) at the Taipei Dome.

"We came here to win; this is our ultimate goal," said Ryu. "This is a young team. Starting with last year's Asian Games, we went through a generational renovation, and these young players are getting accustomed to top-level international competition."

Cuba (0-2) will return to action on Saturday, November 16, against No. 15 Australia (0-1, but scheduled to play No. 12 Dominican Republic on Friday).

"It's good we have a rest day tomorrow," added Johnson. "Hopefully, we will get our best hitters going. There are three games left; we need to start winning. Moinelo is not 100% but said he is available to pitch out of the bullpen. We will respect his rest needs, and I'm sure he will contribute again."