Chinese Taipei shut out the US and stay undefeated
World No. 5 Chinese Taipei played a game close to perfection and defeated No. 2 USA, 3-0.
Starter Jun Wei Zhang was masterful for 6.1 innings, and his reliever Yi Lei Sun got help from his defence when he needed it. Third baseman Nian Hao Wang hit a two-run homer in the top of the third, giving the hosts the lead they would not surrender.
Pitchers and defence dominated the first couple of innings. USA starter Tegan Kuhns struck out Chao Hung Chang swinging, and catcher Nolan Traeger caught Ting Lun Hsu stealing second for the double play.
Chinese Taipei took the lead with the first hit of their night. Kuhns allowed a leadoff walk but got out of trouble as second baseman Chao Hung Chang lined out to third baseman Carter Johnson, who doubled up the runner at second.
Kuhns walked the next batter, and third baseman Nian Hao Wang was all over his first offering, driving it over the left field fence for a two-run homer, the first Chinese Taipei hit of the night.
Right fielder Chia Wei Lin reached on a drag bunt with one out in the top of the sixth. He stole second with two outs. Kuhns allowed the fourth walk of his game and left for Bryce Rainer. The right-hander struck out Meng Chih Hu to end the at-bat.
Rainer allowed a walk and hit a batter in the top of the seventh. Nian Hao Wang singled up the middle to extend Chinese Taipei's lead to 3-0. The runners advanced to third and second on the throw home. Rainer retired Chia Wei Lin on a fly to right field to escape the threat.
Chinese Taipei starter Jun Wei Zhang showcased a 153-kilometre (95 miles)-per-hour fastball on his way to a 6.1-inning gem.
He allowed his first walk with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch hitter Levi Clark reached after 11 consecutive outs and became the fourth USA runner of the night after Perry Morlando (single) in the first, Nolan Traeger (also a base hit) in the second, and Derek Kuriel (hit by pitch) in the third.
Chinese Taipei handed the ball to flame thrower Yi Lei Sun. The right-hander got Carter Johnson to ground into a force second out and found some help from a diving catch and a perfect through to first by Nian Hao Wang to retire Nolan Traeger and end the game.
Chinese Taipei (3-0) stand out undefeated at the top of the Super Round Standings and will play No. 7 Netherlands on Friday, 8 September. The US are now 1-2 and will face No. 4 Korea.
