CPBLSix unanswered runs by the Chinatrust Whales capped a valiant comeback in a 6-4 win over the President Lions in game 1 of the day-night doubleheader at Douliou on Saturday afternoon.
Liu Fu-hao's bases-loaded single off Whales starter Alexander Herrera of Venezuela, coupled with a wild relay throw from the outfield on the play, scored three of the four runs in the top of the second for the Lions as they jumped to a 4-0 lead in the game.
But that was all the offense that the big cats were able to produce as relievers Su Tseh-yi and Liu Yu-chang combined for six-and-a-third innings of scoreless relief before closer Shen Yu-jeh wrapped up the win with a perfect ninth for his second save of the season.
PHOTO: LIAO YAO-TUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Offensively for the whales, the four-run deficit was quickly erased in just one inning as they fought back with four runs of their own in the bottom of the third against Lions ace Pan "Du Du" Wei-luen, highlighted by American slugger Mike Lockwood's two-run single with the bases juiced.
Second baseman Wang Yi-min's chopper through short knocked in fellow catcher Wang Hsin-min, who led off the bottom of the fourth with a rare triple off Pan, to give the Whales a 5-4 lead before they tacked on another run in the sixth to complete the eventual 6-4 comeback win.
All but two of the Whales starters had at least one hit in the game, led by Wang Hsin-min's 3-for-4 effort.? Wang Yi-min and Lockwood also connected for two hits apiece with three RBIs between them.
PHOTO: LIAO YAO-TUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Taking the win was Su, who pitched three-and-two-thirds innings of shutout ball on three scattered singles for his second win of the year to beat Pan in only his fourth loss of the year.
Lions 3, Whales 1
The Lions salvaged a series split on the day against the Whales by topping Chinatrust in the nightcap in a 3-1 decision where the eventual losers drew first blood.
Wang Yi-min's opposite-field single off Lions starter Jerome Robertson of the US in the bottom of the third gave the Whales a brief 1-0 advantage, before the big cats evened things up at 1-1 an inning later on designated hitter Chen Jia-wei's RBI double off Whales ace Tseng Jau-hao.
Yang Seng's two-run single with two outs and the bases loaded broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth for the Lions as they claimed a 3-1 lead over the Whales before hanging on for the eventual win.
Robertson was rock solid in eight stellar innings of work, allowing a lone run on four singles while fanning three and walking two for his first win in four game appearances with the Lions.? The newcomer did not allow a Whales runner past the first bases after the third innings, completely shutting down a potent Whales attack that had averaged exactly 10 runs per game in their past four games.
Lions ace closer Tseng Yi-cheng upped his league-leading number of saves to 13 with a perfect ninth against the heart of the Whales batting order.
American League
Rookie Adam Loewen and two relievers combined on a one-hitter, Miguel Tejada went 3-for-4 and scored twice, and the Baltimore Orioles beat Mike Mussina and the New York Yankees 5-0 on Saturday.
The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Yankees, whose lone hit was a clean first-inning single to right by Bobby Abreu.
Loewen (2-3) came in with one win in eight starts and a 6.44 ERA, but he couldn't have been much better over 6 1-3 innings against the AL East leaders. The left-hander struck out eight, walked five and retired 11 straight during one stretch.
After Baltimore took a 5-0 lead in the sixth, however, Loewen (2-3) began to struggle. He opened the seventh by walking Alex Rodriguez on four pitches, then walked Jason Giambi. After a visit to the mound by manager Sam Perlozzo, the former No. 1 draft pick struck out Jorge Posada before being lifted.
Athletics 5, Mariners 2
At Seattle, Dan Haren pitched seven strong innings, and the Athletics won their 11th straight game over the Mariners.
Angels 10, Rangers 3
At Anaheim, California, Juan Rivera homered and drove in four runs, Garret Anderson had three RBIs, and the Angels ended a three-game skid with a victory over Texas.
White Sox 7, Blue Jays 1
At Toronto, Javier Vazquez struck out a season-high 13 in eight innings, Paul Konerko drove in four runs and the White Sox handed the Blue Jays their seventh straight loss.
Devil Rays 8, Red Sox 5
At St Petersburg, Florida, Casey Fossum held his former team to one run in six innings and Greg Atherton homered and drove in two runs, leading Tampa Bay past Boston.
Twins 14, Royals 3
At Kansas City, Missouri, Justin Morneau hit a three-run homer, Carlos Silva won his fourth straight decision and the Twins beat the Royals.
Tigers 4, Indians 3
At Detroit, Ivan Rodriguez hit a game-winning two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning off struggling reliever Fausto Carmona to give the Tigers a victory over the Indians. With Placido Polanco on first, Rodriguez connected on Carmona's first pitch for his ninth homer.
National League
Mark Prior won his first game of the season, allowing two earned runs in 5 2-3 innings, and the Chicago Cubs defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-5 on Saturday.
Reds 8, Braves 6
At Cincinnati, Brandon Phillips homered twice and drove in four runs to lead the Reds over Atlanta.
Mets 4, Phillies 3
At New York, Endy Chavez hit a two-run double in a three-run sixth inning, and the Mets beat the Phillies.
Cardinals 4, Brewers 3
At St Louis, Albert Pujols hit his first home run in 10 games to help the Cardinals end their second eight-game losing streak of the season with a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Dodgers 10, Marlins 2
At Miami, Rafael Furcal hit a three-run triple, Chad Billingsley struck out seven in six strong innings and Los Angeles won its eighth straight game.
Astros 9, Diamondbacks 3
At Phoenix, One day after his 44th birthday, Roger Clemens earned his 344th career victory.
Rockies 2, Giants 1, 11 innings
At San Francisco, Clint Barmes' RBI single in the 11th inning lifted the Rockies over the Giants.
Padres 6, Nationals 3
At San Diego, Trevor Hoffman set a major league record with his 11th 30-save season and the San Diego Padres defeated the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Saturday night.
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