WBC: Japan 6, South Korea 2

SAN DIEGO, March 20 (UPI) -- Pinch-hitter Michihiro Ogasawara singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth Thursday night and Japan defeated South Korea in the World Baseball Classic 6-2.

The game was the last in pool play and determined the pairings for this weekend's semifinals, which will be played in Los Angeles.

Japan and South Korea began the tournament in Tokyo, playing in the same double-elimination pool. They were the two teams to advance from that segment of the tourney and they then eliminated Cuba and Mexico in the second phase.

South Korea will play Venezuela Saturday night and Japan will take on the United States Sunday.

Japan is likely to send superstar Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound against the Americans while the United States is expected to counter with Jake Peavy.

Japan and South Korea have already played four times in the tournament, splitting those games.

The United States reached the semifinals this week with a ninth-inning rally that gave the Americans a win over Puerto Rico.