Samsung star infielder Lee Seung Yuop doubled in two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday as South Korea beat Daisuke Matsuzaka and Japan 3-1 in the bronze medal game of the Sydney Olympic baseball tournament.
Lee's two-run double with two outs sparked a three-run eighth inning for South Korea and spoiled Matsuzaka's bid for a shutout and the bronze as Japan saw its string of medals in Olympic baseball come to an end.
South Korea, meanwhile, claimed its first medal in Olympic baseball, with the U.S. winning the gold and Cuba taking the silver after their 4-0 game Wednesday.
Japan's national team will now return home empty-handed for the first time since the inclusion of baseball on the Olympic program.