The three runs by the Cobras proved to be ample as rookie starter Chang Hsien-chih pitched seven swift innings of one-run ball on five scattered singles and eighth strikeouts for his second win of the season.
He beat out the Whales' Smyth, who also pitched effectively in a complete-game effort in this classic pitchers' duel.
Elephants 2, Bears 0
Chen "Golden Warrior" Chih-yuan's two-run dinger off La New starter Hsu Chih-hua in the bottom of the first was the difference in the game as the Brother Elephants blanked the Bears 2-0 in their series opener in Pingtung on Wednesday night.
After a rocky first by the Bears starter that included two hits in the inning, Hsu was able to shut down the Brother attack with a one-hit effort over the next six innings.
It did not matter much for the Elephants because starter Joey Dawley of the US was equally effective with eight innings of shutout ball before ace closer Blas Cedeno secured the win with a scoreless ninth for his league-leading ninth save of the year.
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