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CPBL 2007 TAIWAN SERIES: Bears back in the hunt as Lions fold

Lin Chih-sheng of the La New Bears makes it to home base in the fourth inning against the President Lions in Tainan yesterday. PHOTO: HUANG CHIH-YUAN, TAIPEI TIMES

It went down to the wire as the La New Bears clawed back an important 7-6 victory from the President Lions in Game 3 of the 2007 Taiwan Series finals in Tainan last night.

La New Bears were down two games to zero in the best-of-seven series, but started brightly in Game 3 with Chiang Chih-tsung hitting a homer at the top of the 2nd.

The Lions responded immediately with two hits, followed by Kao Chih-kang's drive that brought Kao Kuo-ching and Chen Lien-hung home.

The bottom of the 2nd augured poorly for the Bears, with three infielders communicating poorly to let a fly ball hit the ground without a glove touching it.

One of the three, the goateed Kit Pellow, had also deliberately charged the first-base runner, knocking him over, which prompted a furious conversation between the umpires and the Lions' coach.

After another batter was walked, the bases were loaded with two out, but Bears fans breathed a sigh of relief when Pan Wu-hsiung struck out.

Steadily improving, the Bears tied the Lions in the fourth with a hit by Yu Chin-te bringing Lin Chih-sheng home, then completed a double play to close the 5th inning.

The Bears then reclaimed the lead in the sixth with a hit by Huang Lung-yi bringing Chen Chin-feng home.

In the top of the seventh, the Bears extended the lead when Pellow made a hit with bases loaded; Shih Chih-wei made the score 4-2, with bases still loaded and one out. Hits by Chiang Chih-tsung and Yu Chin-te then brought three more runners home, blowing out the lead to 7-2.

The Lions pulled back a run in the seventh, but the Bears were still sitting pretty until the Lions' Liu Fu-hao hit a homer in the 8th to bring runners at 1st and 2nd home and fans to their feet.

The 9th inning petered out, however, and the Bears were likely very grateful.

Game 4 will be played tonight, also in Tainan.

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