TAIPEI -- Nippon Ham Fighters right hander Hayato Nakamura pitched a two-hitter over six innings and Lotte Marines southpaw Kosuke Kato held the rest scoreless as Japan defeated South Korea 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the championship bracket of World Cup baseball Friday.
In what was also a rematch of the bronze medal game at last year's Sydney Olympics won by South Korea 3-1, Nakamura clinched his second win of the tournament despite giving up the game-tying run -- for South Korea's only run -- in the second inning.
Hanshin Tigers outfielder Taichiro Kamisaka then hit a bases-loaded RBI groundout for the go-ahead in a no-out situation in the fourth inning at Tienmou stadium.