Mexico shuts-out Chinese Taipei, stays undefeated

Mexico defeated Chinese Taipei, 2-0, to keep the record perfect after game 1 of the WBSC Premier12 super round.
Mexico broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth, when veteran catcher Alì Solis homered off starter Chiang Shao-Ching.

Chiang Shao-Ching didn’t give up a hit in the first four innings. He got two quick outs to start the fifth. Then he went down in the count with Alì Solis. The Mexican catcher looked at two balls and homered on the third pitch.

“I stepped to the box with the plan of being patient and look for one pitch,” said Alì Solis in the post-game press conference. I thought I could get the fastball I was looking for with a two-ball count. He threw it to me and fortunately enough I could put the right swing on it.”

“I think I pitched a good game,” commented Chiang Shao-Ching. “I had a clear game plan. I thought I had to be aggressive in the lower part of the strike zone. I executed that plan pretty well until I gave up the home run. I realize it all comes down to that. That was the game.”

Mexico added a run in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by second baseman Esteban Quiroz. This sent Chiang to the showers. Chinese Taipei called Chen Kuan-Yu from the bullpen.

A total of five relievers protected starter's Arturo Reyes win.

Jesus Cruz pitched the sixth. Humberto Castellanos left with a runner on in the seventh. Humberto Castellanos gave up a single to pinch hitter Hu Chin-Lung and went to the showers. Left-hander Brennan Bernardino got the key out of the top of the seventh when he struck out Lin-Li, another pinch hitter. Felipe Gonzalez got out of the inning and pitched a perfect eighth inning. Carlos Bustamante added a perfect ninth and earned the save.

“We had our chances,” said Chinese Taipei manager Hong I-Chung “I believe we played a good game overall, but we failed to turn chances into runs. I don’t have in mind many changes for the games against Australia tomorrow. I have in mind a huge change in the mental approach. It’s going to be a sport-fight.”

Mexico’s manager Juan Castro was extremely satisfied: “We knew it was not going to be easy. We came here with a lot of confidence and we earned a great win for Mexico.”