OFFENSE SHINES: First baseman Pan Chie-kai hit a solo homer in the fifth inning as all 10 batters Taiwan used contributed at least one hit toward their team total of 14
Staff writer, with CNA
One day after their first shutout loss at the WBSC Premier12, Taiwan yesterday bounced back with a commanding 8-2 victory over the US, keeping their hopes for a spot in tomorrow’s final alive.
The win in the Super Round marked Taiwan’s first triumph over the US at a top-tier international baseball tournament since 2003. Their previous win over the US was at the 2003 Baseball World Cup, with only one win in the previous 10 matchups since 1999.
Yesterday’s game was tightly contested through the first six innings, with the margin never exceeding two runs.
Taiwan’s Pan Chie-kai celebrates after hitting a solo home run during their Premier12 Super Round game against the US at the Tokyo Dome yesterday.
Photo: CNA
However, the tide turned in the top of the seventh inning, when Spencer Patton took the mound as the fifth US pitcher with Taiwan up 3-2.
The 36-year-old veteran quickly found himself in trouble, loading the bases with two hits and a walk to face Taiwan shortstop Chiang Kun-yu, who had struck out with the bases loaded in the third inning.
This time, Chiang delivered, ripping a clutch three-RBI triple off the wall in right-center field to set the tone for the rest of game.
Taiwan’s Pan Chie-kai gestures ahead of their Premier12 Super Round game against the US at the Tokyo Dome yesterday.
Photo: CNA
Patton, who threw 19 pitches in the inning, gave up five hits and one walk, allowing five earned runs without recording an out before being pulled.
The scoreboard remained unchanged after Taiwan’s offensive explosion.
After the game, Chiang said he was determined to seize his second at-bat with the bases loaded, describing his clutch hit as “a pill of reassurance” for the team.
Taiwan’s Chiang Kun-yu hits a three-RBI triple during their Premier12 Super Round game against the US at the Tokyo Dome yesterday.
Photo: CNA
“Everyone on this team has been giving their all, working hard for the team, for Taiwan, for Taiwanese fans and for those who traveled to Japan to cheer us on,” he said. “It feels like we’re all united and that’s an incredible feeling.”
Taiwan tallied 14 hits as their offense shone, with all 10 batters they used contributing at least one.
Pan Chie-kai’s solo shot in the fifth inning, which briefly extended Taiwan’s lead to 3-1, marked the team’s seventh homer of the tournament.
People yesterday hold Taiwanese flags outside the Tokyo Dome, where Taiwan played the US in the Super Round of the Premier12.
Photo: CNA
Taiwan’s pitchers continued to dominate the mound. The team are yet to concede more than three runs in any game during the competition.
The win kept Taiwan’s hopes for a spot in the final alive.
However, to advance, they almost certainly need a victory over Japan today after the hosts defeated Venezuela 9-6 in yesterday’s night game, which finished at press time.
Taiwan lost 3-1 to Japan in their Group B match in Taipei.
The coaching staff were to finalize their choice for starting pitcher after Japan’s game against Venezuela, said Blue Wei, an anchor for ELTA Sports.
