No. 4 Chinese Taipei, Chun-Lin Kuo cruise past No. 11 Italy 7-1

TAICHUNG, Taiwan — Chinese Taipei starter Chun-Lin Kuo (NPB Seibu Lions) pitched 7 innings and gave up just one run while striking out eight en route to defeating Italy 7-1.

Kuo faced just 23 batters and only allowed two hits, one of which a home run by Alex Sambucci in the fifth.

Chinese Taipei received all the firepower they would need off of home runs by Chih-Sheng Lin and Yen-Wen Kuo – both Lamigo Monkeys – CPBL.

Chinese Taipei (1-1) will meet Canada (2-0) at Intercontinental Stadium and Italy (0-2) will face the Netherlands (1-1).