Team USA got another superb outing from its starting pitcher and Andy LaRoche smacked his third home run of the World Cup as the Americans downed Korea 3-1 on Friday to advance to the semi-finals. Team USA will now meet the Netherlands on Saturday for a chance to play in the title game.

New York Yankees hurler Jeff Karstens delivered another solid outing tossing seven strong innings. The talented right-hander limited Korea to a lone run on five hits while fanning seven. Relievers Lee Gronkiewicz and Jeff Stevens recorded three outs apiece to finish off the Korean squad.

The Americans roughed up Korea starter Won-Jun Chang in the opening frame scoring twice thanks to a two-run homer by LA Dodgers top prospect Andy LaRoche following a Jayson Nix single. Team USA increased their lead to 3-0 in the third when Nix stroked a double and scored on a Steve Pearce RBI single.

Korea finally managed to get on the board in the sixth to cut the Americans lead to 3-1. But that would prove to be as close they would get as Team USA pitchers posted goose eggs the final three innings to reach the final four.

Nix paced the Americans scoring twice and going 2-for-3 at the plate while Korean reliever Jang-Ho Bae was magnificent over four shutout innings limiting Team USA to only a hit and two walks. Seung-Hwa Lee (3-for-4) also had a good game for Korea.

Tags: World Cup