The Chen family was showered with many happy news over the past weekend in Tainan. First, was the notice from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization on Friday regarding younger son Chen Chin-feng's (
Then came the winner's trophy from the annual Chinese Professional Baseball League's (CPBL) All-Star Homerun Derby Contest on Saturday afternoon for older son Chen Lien-hung's (
PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Then Lien-hung won the game-MVP honor at the All-Star game for his 3-for-3 night after he contributed the winning hit for his team.
"I hope he [Chen Chin-feng] stays there for a bit longer this time," Chen Lien-hung told the Taipei Times before the game regarding younger brother Chin-feng's second promotion to the Major League.
Chen went on to hit eight homers in the preliminary round of the Homerun Derby to put himself in the finals with Gida slugger Hsieh Jia-shian (
Hsieh and Chen Kai-fa were unable to go deep in the final round, making Huang's lone homer in five attempts the mark to beat for Chen Lien-hung.
With two easy swings, Chen Lien-hung effortlessly blasted the first two pitches he saw over the fence to win the Homerun Derby title this year, his first in seven seasons.
As for the All-Star game, Chen was a perfect 3-for-3 for the night, including knocking home the game-winner in the bottom of the third with a soft single up the middle.
"This was my day today," Chen said.
Brother Elephant hitting machine Peng Cheng-ming (
The league's Offensive Player of the Month in May amazed those looking on with his beer-chugging ability.
The All-Star game began on Saturday with Taichung City Mayor Hu Chih-chiang (
Lion rookie sensation Pan Wei-luen (
The starter for Team White held the Team Red batters hitless for the first two innings before being replaced by fellow southpaw Hsieh Cheng-hsun (
Offensively for Team White, starting shortstop Cheng Chang-ming (
Cheng would score the first run of the game later in the same inning on Chen Lien-hung's single.
Also starring for Team White was catcher Tseng Chih-tseng (
The 44-year-old catcher came out of retirement after having coached the Lions in the previous four seasons to become the oldest player in the All-Star lineup.
Kuo Yuan-chih (
Despite the 3-0 score in favor of Team White, the Team Red offense was busy throughout the game, collecting 10 hits off five different Team White pitchers. Always missing critical hits with men in scoring position, Team Red stranded a total of 11 runners on base.
The best scoring opportunity for Team Red came in the top of the seventh with one out and men at the corners. Much to the dismay of the local crowd, shortstop Cheng Jau-han (鄭兆行) and second baseman Huang Chung-yi of the Bulls failed to connect as they struck out and flied out respectively, to retire Team Red in the seventh.
Left-hander Hsieh Cheng-hsun of the Whales got the win for Team White in his relief appearance, while Team Red starter Tsai Chung-nan of the Bulls took the loss.
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