MLB All-Stars wrap up series in Taiwan with 6-4 victory

Home-run power proved the difference as MLB All-Stars completed their 5-game sweep in Taiwan with a narrow 6-4 victory at Kaohsiung City’s Cheng Ching Lake Stadium yesterday (Sun, Nov. 6).

Robinson Cano and Ty Wiggington each had a solo homer to lift the visiting Major Leaguers in this encounter, and resulting in five wins against no loss during their week-long exhibition series in Taiwan.

Cano, New York Yankees second baseman, broke the 3-3 tie in the 3rd inning when he launched an offering from Team Taiwan’s second pitcher Yang Yao-Hsun (reserve team of Japan’s Soft Bank Hawks) and sailed it over the left field wall for the 4-3 lead.

In the 5th frame, Ryan Roberts (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Logan Morrison (Florida Marlins) had consecutive hits to push one run across and opened the gap to 5-3.

Team Taiwan replied with a run on two hits in their bottom-half of the 5th inning to edge closer at 5-4.

Wigginton (Colorado Rockies) then added the insurance run for the MLB All-Stars with a solo blast for the 6-4 scoreline.

Aside from the big home runs, much of the focus in this game was on Taiwan’s starting pitcher – Wang Chien-Ming, a sports superstar and a national hero in this baseball-obsessed island country.

Wang established his celebrated icon status by achieving great success in the MLB.

The right-handed pitcher had performed brilliantly on the biggest stage in U.S. baseball, having two 19-win seasons as an integral part of the diamond-studded New York Yankees line-up during 2006 and 2007 seasons.

Beset by injury in the past few years, Wang has made a comeback with the Washington Nationals this past season.

It was announced this week that he and the Nationals club have agreed on a one-year USD 4-millon contract with added performance bonus.

After his announced start for this finale of the MLB Series in Taiwan, game tickets sold quickly for a near full-house of 16,423 fans at the Cheng Ching Lake ballpark yesterday.

They came to see Wang pitching against fellow MLB stars, among them his good friend from the New York Yankees – Robinson Cano, and also against his current Washington teammate – Michael Morse.

At the start of this game, Wang tossed a scoreless first inning, however he got into some trouble in the 2nd frame.

Logan Morrison, Josh Reddick (Boston Red Sox), Erick Aybar (LA Angels) banged up Wang with 3 hits, as the MLB scored 3 runs.

That rally was aided by an error charged to Taiwanese third baseman Kuo Fu-Lin (minor league with NY Yankees organization).

In the bottom of 2nd inning, the host team fought back with 3 hits and one walk against Jeremy Guthrie, Baltimore Oriole starter for MLB side, to even up at 3-3.

Wang was taken out in the top of 3rd frame, after having thrown 45 pitches.

He was tagged for giving up 3 runs on 4 hits through two full innings, although due to the fielding error by the third baseman Kuo, only one of the Wang’s charged runs was an earned run.

As he depart after making one pitch to Robinson Cano at top of 3th inning, Wang tipped his cap to the audience as the near-capacity crowd cheered in appreciation.

Team Taiwan manager Chen Wei-Chen said, “I took him out at that point on purpose, so he can walk down the pitcher’s mound to receive applause by the fans.   Wang is the most visible representative of Taiwan baseball.  I have much respect for what he was able to accomplish (in the MLB).”

In the post-game interview, Wang said, “I really appreciate Taiwanese fans’ support for me.  They are a big help when I was recovering from my injury….  I’m happy that fans here can watch the high-calibre play of MLB stars.  Our players can also learn from them by taking part in this series.”

About his pitching in this game, “It felt about 50 percent (to fully fit).  My pitching arm was a bit tight in the beginning.  So today I focus on throwing into the strike zone, try to smooth out my delivery motion,  and it did felt better as I pitched to more batters.”

When asked to assess Wang’s outing, MLB team manager Bruce Bochy relied, “”He was smart, he didn’t overextend himself.  He got his work in. When you’ve had an injury and been out two years, you’re doing the right thing by not trying to do too much out there.”

Talking about this contest, he said, “It was just another good ballgame.  It could have gone either way.  Sure, we won five games, but you could see their confidence growing and they were playing right there with us.”

Bochy added, “It was a great experience for all of us. We’ve had a great time and it’s good for baseball.”

Also in the post-game interview, Robinson Cano said, “It was a fun game, they played better and better against us. I like the way they play the game. They play hard, and it’s great to see these fans, the way they support the game.  Hopefully we can come back, because it’s been a lot of fun.”

Michael Morse shared about his impression, “”It was a great little exhibition we just did, and I hope it showcased the talent that Taiwan has here, and I hope the fans keep coming out to see that talent.  They should be very proud that there are a lot of great baseball players to come.”

Thus the MLB All-Stars finished their exhibition series in Taiwan, and departed on Sunday evening for U.S. on a charter flight from Kaohsiung City.