Chinese Taipei shuts out Dominican Republic, two super round spots still open in group A of U-23 Baseball World Cup

Chinese Taipei shuts out Dominican Republic, two super round spots still open in group A of U-23 Baseball World Cup
28/09/2021
Chinese Taipei pitchers allowed only three hits. The outcome was never in doubt. The Dominican Republic now faces an elimination game against Cuba on Tuesday.

Chinese Taipei finished group play with a convincing 5-0 win over the Dominican Republic.

The win puts Chinese Taipei at 3-2 in the standings, and the team will await the result of Tuesday’s game between Cuba and the Dominican Republic to see if it qualifies for the Super Round.

"It's right, we can only watch tomorrow's game and wait," said Chinese Taipei manager Shi-hsin Wu through an interpreter at the end of the game. "We are relaxed, there's not much more we can do."

Monday’s game was never in doubt, as the Dominican Republic managed just one hit through the first six innings.  Chinese Taipei’s starter Wang Chih-Ting set the tone with four no-hit innings that featured eight strikeouts.  A trio of relievers kept the Dominican Republic off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Dominican starter Nelson Tavarez ran into trouble in the second inning, allowing a leadoff single and three straight walks to push across the game’s first run.  

Chinese Taipei added two runs to its lead in the bottom of the fifth in a messy inning that featured two singles, a hit by pitch and wild pitch. 

The big blow to the Dominican Republic came in the bottom of the sixth when Chiu Chen’s two-run homer to deep left field effectively put the game out of reach.  

"Baseball doesn't lie," said Dominican Republic manager Ramon Genao. "If you don't play the game the way it is supposed to be played, you are unlikely to win."

The Dominican Republic must now win its Tuesday matchup with Cuba if it wants any chance of advancing to the Super Round.  That game, which was postponed due to rain last Thursday, will get underway at 1030am in Ciudad Obregon.