Tai Yun Chen grand slam leads Chinese Taipei to first win

Chinese Taipei used an eight-run third inning rally to beat South Africa, 12-0, in seven and earn the first win in the U-23 Baseball World Cup. The highlight of the at bat was a grand slam by left fielder Tai Yun Chen, the ninth man in the batting order.

Grand slam Chinese Taipei !!!!!!!! Tai Yung-Chen @ctba #U23WorldCuo pic.twitter.com/YkC7GMLW1U

— WBSC ⚾ #U23WorldCup (@WBSC) October 22, 2018

When Tai Yun Chen stepped in the batter’s box in the third, Chinese Taipei was already leading 5-0 and South Africa had already given the call to Damon King in the bullpen to replace starter Cameron Fortuin. Tai Yu Chen looked at a ball, fouled one and then drove the third pitch by King in the left field bleachers.

South Africa defense had prevented more damage by Chinese Taipei line up in the bottom of the first thanks to a double play manufactured by first baseman Brandon Smith on a bullet hit to the right by Li Yu Chuan. But as Chinese Taipei started to use the running game, South Africa wasn’t able to handle the pressure.

Chinese Taipei starter Chiang Kuo Hao allowed only 2 hits in four innings of work. The bull pen took care of the last nine outs using a total of 43 pitches.