Chinese Taipei come back to beat Japan in extras

World No. 4 Chinese Taipei came back to beat No. 1 Japan with a walk-off infield single by Sheng Rang Wang in the bottom of the seventh, 3-2. The two Asian powerhouses entertained an impressive crowd with several world-class defensive plays and left the fans standing with a thrilling finale.

Japan scored the go-ahead run in the top of the second. First baseman Kengo Wada hit a one-out double and reached third on a single by third baseman Ren Mitsui. He scored on a swinging bunt by right fielder Masaya Yabuuchi.

Chinese Taipei came right back. Pitcher Yan En Chiu reached on a base hit and advanced on an error. Catcher Yu-Hsiang Wang and second baseman Shang Eng Wang singled to tie the game. Center fielder Mei Oguri manufactured a double play to get Japan out of the inning.

As the game got to extra innings, Chinese Taipei handed the ball to Ya-En Chiu. The reliever balked to advance the tie-break runners, and Wasa scored the go-ahead run from third on a groundout.

Chinese Taipei came right back against reliever Haruki Tsuchiya. With one out, Yu-Hsiang Wang dropped a bunt. Sheng-Kai Gau ran all the way from second to home to tie the game. The second tie-break runner, Wen-Fai Shen, reached third and scored the winning run on a soft contact by Sheng-Rang Wang that shortstop Ayuma Tomita couldn't handle and became the walk-off hit.

On Day 3, Chinese Taipei will face Mexico in the afternoon game, while Japan will close the day against Germany.