South Korea Draws 3-3 with Hanshin Tigers in World Baseball Classic Exhibition

The South Korean national baseball team tied 3-3 with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in their first official warmup game ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) on March 2, 2026, at Kyocera Dome Osaka, Japan.

Early Lead for Korea

Korea took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning against Hanshin’s starting pitcher, Saiki Hiroto. Kim Do-young led off with an infield hit, followed by a single from Lee Jung-hoo. Moon Bo-kyung then drove in the first run with a center-field hit, and An Hyun-min doubled down the left-field line to extend the lead, as reported by Sedaily.

Hanshin Responds

However, the lead was short-lived. Hanshin responded with three runs in the second inning against Korean starting pitcher Kwak Bin. Nozomu Takatera’s sacrifice fly brought in Hanshin’s first run, followed by a double from Dan Onodera that tied the game. Torai Fushimi then knocked in the move-ahead run with a single to center, according to Yonhap News.

Kim Do-young Ties the Game

Korea tied the game 3-3 in the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run by Kim Do-young off Hanshin’s third pitcher, Hayakawa Daiki. Kim hit a breaking ball to left-center field, as reported by The Chosun Ilbo.

Pitching and Future Matchups

Neither team scored after Kim’s home run, resulting in a 3-3 draw. Veteran Ryu Hyun-jin and closer Kim Taek-yeon pitched scoreless innings for Korea. Manager Ryu Ji-hyun expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance and the improved pitching flow. The Chosun Ilbo also noted Coach Fujikawa’s praise for Kim Do-young’s power hitting.

Korea will play another exhibition game against the Orix Buffaloes on March 3, 2026, at the same Osaka dome before traveling to Tokyo for the start of the WBC. Their first Pool C game will be against the Czech Republic on March 6, 2026, at Tokyo Dome. Yonhap News reports the team is determined to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years.

Saiki Hiroto’s Potential MLB Posting

Hanshin Tigers ace Hiroto Saiki, who started against Korea, is a potential candidate to be posted to Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. Saiki recorded 12 wins, 6 losses, and a 1.55 ERA in 24 games last year, ranking first in the Central League in ERA. MLB Trade Rumors reported in September 2025 that the Tigers are considering making him available via the posting system.