EDA Rhinos first baseman Lin Yi-chuan outslugged fellow outfielder Kao Guo-hui by a 14-7 margin in the final round of this year’s Home Run Derby to capture the annual long ball-hitting contest at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium last night.
The current leader of the league in home runs, who already has gone deep against the opposing pitching 15 times this year, cruised through the first two rounds by a overwhelming 19-to-9 differential against his opponents to land the chance for a showdown in the finals against teammate Kao, who beat out Kuo Jung-yo of the Uni-President Lions and Lin Hung-yu of the Lamigo Monkeys in the first two rounds respectively to reach the finals.
“I am really thrilled that I finally did it on my fourth try in the Home Run Derby,” Lin said.
Photo: Lin Cheng-kung, Taipei Times
He had not made it past the second round in his three previous attempts, even though his long ball-bashing ability was never in doubt, with nearly 12 homers to his credit over the past four seasons.
Along with a stunning winner’s trophy and a winner’s bat, Lin also pocketed NT$100,000 in prize money for an outstanding day at the plate.
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