The top-ranked Uni-President Lions needed three unanswered runs over the final two innings to defeat the Brother Elephants 9-5 in Pingtung on Sunday and maintain their slim one-game lead over the Lamigo Monkeys in the standings, but it was a costly victory for the Lions as their top RBI specialist, Chen Yong-chi, suffered a fractured left tibia after he fouled off a pitch that nailed him in the most vulnerable part of his left leg.
In the 45 games that the Lions’ No. 1 pick has played this season, he has amassed an amazing 34 RBIs to lead his team in RBIs, hits (62) and batting average (.341).
“We definitely won’t be the same team without him [Chen], that’s for sure, but that’s part of the game,” Lions manager Lu Wen-sheng said earlier this week.
Chen could be out for as long as three months pending a second opinion from the Lions medical staff, leaving the CPBL leaders without his invaluable services in a tight pennant race with the Monkeys.
Without Chen in the lineup to lead the offense, the Lions lost the only game they have played since Sunday, a 5-1 defeat as the heart of the order batted a combined one-for-11 with one RBI. He will definitely be sorely missed.
Chen’s misfortune is not the only injury a high-profile player suffered in the league this week. The Monkeys also lost their top slugger, “Mr Everything” Lin Chih-sheng, to a stress fracture of his ribs, curbing the current home run leader and the two-time defending home run champ’s playing time for at least a week.
“He [Lin] is the kind of player who gives his all every time he steps into a batter’s box. We hope to see him in action sometime next week,” Monkeys skipper Hong Yi-chung was quoted as saying yesterday.
While injuries have affected the Lions and the Monkeys, the Elephants are excited about the return of their top gun Peng “Chia Chia” Cheng-min, who will return to action after being sidelined for nearly two months nursing a hand injury. Chia Chia will most likely play as a pinch hitter this week, before a full return to the lineup.
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
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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