Joerg Breyer donated $50 to the Baseball Musings Pledge Drive and dedicates this post to his fellow European ballplayers, especially his team, the Cubs.

The Venezuelan manager had his choice of King Felix or Carlos Silva to start this semi-final game against Korea. He picked Silva, the more efficient but more hittable pitcher. Every ball the Koreans put into play in the first inning seemed find a hole or bounce off a glove, and the two seed bats around and picks up five runs in the inning. The Korean hitters look very patient and aim to put the ball in play, so they matched up well against Silva. Weak defense helped as well, as did a three-run homer off Carlos. Venezuela finds themselves in a deep hole early, and by holding out their best stater, the South American team may not get a chance to pitch him for the championship.

Update: A pair of Kims pound Silva further in the second inning. With one out, Hyun-Soo Kim doubles off the centerfield wall, then Tae Kyun Kim homers down the leftfield line. That chases Silva from the game, down 7-0.