Japan upset for WBC group title

Ichiro Suzuki never expected to lose to South Korea.

“I feel ashamed of this defeat,” the Seattle Mariners star said Sunday after the South Koreans upset Japan 3-2 in Tokyo to win Group A in the first round of the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

Lee Seung-yeop hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning of a game that mattered little because both nations were assured of advancement.

Suzuki’s game-ending flyout left him 3 for 11 (.273) in the three Group A games.

“If I was satisfied with my performance, I should quit baseball,” Suzuki said.

Dae-Sung Koo, whose contract was sold last week by New York Mets to a South Korean club, pitched two scoreless innings of relief to get the victory as the South Koreans overcame a two-run deficit.

Chan Ho Park of the San Diego Padres pitched the ninth for the save. After he retired Suzuki for the final out, South Korean players ran on to the field and mobbed the pitcher.

South Korea (3-0) and Japan (2-1) will travel to Arizona for exhibition games against major league teams, then go to Anaheim, Calif., for the second round on March 12-16.

Rocket is ready

Roger Clemens struck out three in two scoreless innings and Chase Utley went 5 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs in Team USA’s debut – a 12-7 exhibition victory over a San Francisco Giants split squad in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Chipper Jones also hit a two-run homer for the United States, which opens World Baseball Classic play Tuesday against Mexico in Phoenix.

Astro pulls rare switch

Houston center fielder Willy Taveras got to play for his country against his team in the Dominican Republic’s 12-8 win over the Astros in Kissimmee, Fla.

Juan Gutierrez did Taveras one better, pitching for both sides in the ninth inning. Astros manager Phil Garner loaned Gutierrez to the Dominicans so they could rest their bullpen.

Around the league

The Florida Marlins terminated infielder Pokey Reese’s one-year, $800,000 contract, more than three full days after he abandoned camp without warning. … Boston Red Sox left-hander David Wells rescinded his trade request and said Sunday there was a “99.9” percent chance he would retire after the upcoming season. … Chicago Cubs second baseman Jerry Hairston was taken to a hospital after being hit in the head by a pitch against the San Francisco Giants. Hairston took a pitch to the helmet from Kevin Correia with one out in the bottom of the first inning.