Team Taiwan made it two wins in a row by blanking the Czech Republic 6-0 in the preliminaries at this year’s Intercontinental Cup Baseball Championship in Douliou yesterday afternoon.
The win propelled the home team atop the standings in Group A that includes the defending champs and 10-time winner Cuba, as well South Korea, the Czech Republic and Hong Kong.
Slugger Chen Yong-chi (a minor leaguer with the Pittsburg Pirates) batted a perfect three-for-three with four RBIs to lead the home squad with an attack that teed off against the Czech pitching with 13 hits on the day. Also starring for Taiwan was leadoff man Lin Che-hsuan (a minor leaguer with the Boston Red Sox) who went three-for-five with three runs and a stolen base.
PHOTO: LIAO YAU-TUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Even though there was still room for improvement as far as Taiwan’s scoring efficiency was concerned, with batters managing to produce only a half-dozen runs on 13 hits, five of which went for extra bases, head coach Yeh Chih-hsien was happy with the outcome of the game.
“Overall, I am pleased with the result of the game, even though we could do better on stringing our hits together a little more,” Yeh said afterwards, referring to dismal batting by his No. 4 and 5 hitters Lin Chih-sheng (La New Bears) and Chen Chun-shiu (a minor leaguer with Cleveland Indians) who batted a combined two-for-eight with no RBIs and hit into double plays to cut short several scoring opportunities for their team.
Other than four quick runs over the first two innings, highlighted by Chen’s two-run double in the second, Taiwan was held to only a pair of runs against a Czech pitching staff that bent, but seldom broke.
Poor run production did not affect Taiwan much in the game as stellar pitching, led by starter Pan “Du Du” Wei-luen’s (Uni--President Lions) three perfect innings of play, held the Czech hitters to three singles on the day, allowing only one runner to reach scoring position the entire game.
Reliever Liao Wen-yang was credited with the win for his two innings of perfect relief following Pan’s outstanding effort in a game in which Yeh sent five different hurlers to the mound.
“It’s important to give as many pitchers a chance to get some action as possible,” Yeh said after the game.
Team Taiwan take on Hong Kong at the Intercontinental Baseball Stadium this evening with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30pm.
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