Baseball -- if it returns to the Olympic schedule -- will have a new champion upon the throne, as South Korea upset defending Olympic champion Cuba, 3-2.
South Korea may be the surprise story, going undefeated in pool play and beating Japan in the semifinals, but Cuba remains the face of international baseball, making its fifth-straight Olympic gold medal game.
The United States evened its extra-innings record at 1-1 with a victory over Japan. Having clinched a playoff berth the day before, this win ensured the U.S. the No. 3 seed.
South Korea likely earned the No. 1 spot for the Olympic medal round that begins on Day 14 of competition after its 7-4 win of previously undefeated Cuba. Ko Young-min hit a tying two-run single in the fourth and a costly two-run error by Cuba in the same inning led South Korea past the defending Olympic champions 7-4.
The U.S.-China rivalry took an unexpected twist in baseball and actually got physical on Day 10. Five U.S. players were hit by China pitches and two China catchers were hit by U.S. runners in a key win for the Americans.
A shift is beginning to be felt in international baseball. This year's Olympic tournament was to be a three-team race of Japan, the United States and Cuba. Yet, South Korea is now 3-0 with wins over Japan and the U.S.
It was fitting that the Olympic host country, playing in its first baseball tournament, should be the team to debut the IBAF's new extra-inning rules -- and benefit from them. China defeated Chinese Taipei 8-7 in 12 innings.
Stephen Strasburg flirted with a no-hitter for 6 2/3 innings against the Netherlands. The San Diego State star and likely No. 1 pick in the 2009 MLB draft gave up one hit in seven innings while striking out 11.
It had been eight years since either South Korea or the United States played an Olympic baseball game. After the former's win on the opening day of competition, it was the U.S. that was still waiting on its first win since 2000.
