Yeh Jung-chang's pinch-hit triple off Chuang Wei-chuan scored the go-ahead run all the way from first in the top of the tenth inning and Kuo Yong-chih got the final three outs to secure the Sinon Bulls' 4-3 win over the Brother Elephants in Tianmu on Sunday night.
The veteran catcher, who is known more for his anchoring presence behind the plate than his batting, broke out of a 0-for-35 slump with a rare triple that delivered the knockout punch to help his club cling on to a one-and-a-half game lead over the third-placed President Lions (over both halves of the season) and qualify for the postseason.
Sunday's contest began with the Elephants jumping to a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs off Sinon starter Yang Jien-fu over the first two innings, before the Bulls answered with a run in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings on RBI singles by Cheng Da-hong, Yu Shien-ming and Su Jien-hong respectively to claim a narrow 3-2 advantage heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.
PHOTO: LIU HSIN-DE, TAIPEI TIMES
With the league's leading saver Kuo on the mound going for his 18th save of the year, the Elephants still managed to rally for a run with Chen Guan-ren's two-out double off Kuo that scored the equalizing run and send the game into extra innings.
After missing a chance to pick up the save in the ninth inning, Kuo was able to redeem himself by pitching a scoreless tenth, and with Yeh's help, win his fourth game of the season.
Taking the loss for the Elephants was Chuang, who dropped to 2-2 for the year for allowing the triple to Yeh.
Cobras 4, Bears 1
Deng Shih-yang's 2-for-4 night with three RBIs led the Macoto Cobras past the La New Bears in a 4-1 victory at Luodong on Sunday night to keep his team's playoff hopes alive.
With the Bears having already claimed a berth in the Taiwan Series by winning both the first and second-half season titles, the Cobras took on a Bears lineup that was mostly made up of reserve players.
And it showed, as the hosts struck for a run in the bottom of the second inning on Deng's sharp grounder to shallow-right off Bears starter Hsu Wen-hsiung for his first RBI in the game. And Deng's second hit of the game scored two more runs in the fourth innings to give the Cobras a 3-0 lead.
La New made it 3-1 in the top of the fifth inning with Chiang Chih-tsong's run-scoring single off Cobras starter Yang Chi-jia, but that was all the runs they could muster as the next three Cobra pitchers effectively stemmed the scoring.
Winning only his fourth game of the year was Yang, who allowed the lone (unearned) run to the Bears on two hits over six solid innings, besting Hsu, who pitched well enough for a win, but was undone by a lack of run support.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely