Chihiro Sumida threw seven scoreless innings and Chusei Mannami hit a solo home run as Japan edged South Korea 2-1 Friday to secure a place in the final of the Asia Professional Baseball Championship.
Three-time World Baseball Classic champion Japan picked up its second win in as many games in the round-robin stage of the four-team tournament at Tokyo Dome, while South Korea fell to a 1-1 record.
Sumida struck out seven and allowed just three hits, all singles, while walking none and hitting a batter.
Yuki Okabayashi scored the game's first run when Shugo Maki grounded into a double play in the third inning.
An inning later, Mannami homered off Lee Eui Lee, who worked six innings. South Korea barely avoided a shutout when Kim Whee Jip homered with two outs in the ninth.
Earlier Friday, Taiwan defeated Australia 6-0 in 10 innings for its first win in two games. Australia dropped to 0-2.
The winner of Saturday's night game between South Korea and Taiwan will face Japan in Sunday's final.
