Chinese Taipei pitchers strikeout 12 in triumph over Japan
Starter Chen Wei Lin's fastball touched 157 kilometres per hour. The hosts remain undefeated and on top of Group A.
World no. 2 Chinese Taipei prevailed over World No. 1 Japan 3-1, as their pitchers carried the team to keep their winning streak in Group A of the IV WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup.
Starting pitcher Chen-Wei Lin and relievers sin-Yin Chuang and Zhong-Ao Zhuang Chen, combined for 12 strikeouts that delighted the crowd at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on Sunday.
Japan’s starter Raiku Katayama allowed a walk in the first, leading to Chinese Taipei’s first run by Teng-Yu Wang on an error. Later, Song-En Tseng doubled to right-center, sending Chen-Tso Tseng to home plate.
Japan got their first point on the scoreboard in the second inning as Ryuji Maruyama scored off Ren Onishi's double to left centre field. With Lin pitching for Chinese Taipei, he fired a 157 kilometre per hour fastball to strikeout Hiroki Nakagawa to close the second inning with a lead of 2-1 in favour of the hosts.
Japan could not create scoring opportunities and in the bottom of the fourth, Chinese Taipei gave the ball to Chuang, who continued the pitchers' dominance as he struck out five in two innings.
Chinese Taipei's timing was impeccable with a runner in scoring position in the sixth. Song-En Tseng had another BI hit, singling through the right side, allowing Chen-Tso Tseng to score his second run.
Chinese Taipei’s closer Zhuang Chen took the mound for the last two frames and used four strike outs to end the game.
Chinese Taipei now lead Group A with a 3-0 record. They will face South Africa at 19.00 local time on Monday, while Japan will play Colombia at 14.30.
Japan starting pitcher Raiku Katayama
Chinese Taipei starting pitcher Chen-Wei Lin threw at 159 km/hr, his personal record
Japan chanted before the game
Chinese Taipei Chen-Tso Tseng celebrated with teammates after he scored a run
Chinese Taipei Song-En Tseng's two hits came with two runs for the team
Japan Ryuji Maruyama scored a run for the team
Chinese Taipei reliever stroke out five
Chinese Taipei closer Zhong-Ao Zhuang Chen stroke out four in the last two
Japan Kaito Saida got on base
Chinese Taipei celebrated after Chen-Tso Tseng scored the second run and secured the win