Peng "Chia Chia" Cheng-min's game-tying three-run double, followed by Lee "Rambo Junior" Chih-jeh's two-run single, all off closer Shen Yu-jeh, capped a five-run ninth as the Brother Elephants overcame a three-run deficit to top the Chinatrust Whales 8-6 in Taichung on Wednesday night.
It was the first win since Sept. 3 for the Elephants following a pair of losses and three rainouts last week.
The victory was especially sweet for the Elephants since they were able to rally to beat a red-hot Whales team that had won four of their previous five contests heading into Wednesday night.
PHOTO: AP
The game began with the Whales drawing first blood in the bottom of the first on designated hitter Tseng Han-chou's opposite-field liner that scored leadoff man Chi Jung-lin, who took second on a throwing error by Elephants shortstop Chu Hong-seng.
The 1-0 Whales lead would last just an inning as the Elephants answered with second baseman Fong Sheng-shien's one-run single off Whales starter Derrick Van Dusen in the top of the third to knot things up at 1-1 before the Whales reclaimed a 4-1 lead with a run in the third and two runs in the fifth, highlighted by Tseng's two-run liner to right-center in the top of the fifth.
The Elephants managed to close the gap with a run in the sixth and the seventh to make it 4-3 before Chinatrust added two more runs in the eighth on US slugger Mike Lockwood's two-run homer that gave his team a 6-3 advantage, setting the table for the dramatic late-inning comeback.
PHOTO: HUANG CHIH-YUAN, TAIPEI TIMES
Dominican righty Eddy Candelario (2-0) was credited with the win for his eight innings of work, allowing six runs (four earned) on 10 hits, including the homer to Lockwood that had him on the brink of his first loss of the year. Instead, he caught a huge break and an early Christmas gift with a five-run ninth by his offense.
Lions 7, Bears 3
Three opening-inning runs by the President Lions set the tone early in the game against the La New Bears as the big cats successfully defended their home turf with a 7-3 win in Tainan to snap a three-game losing skid.
PHOTO: HUANG CHIH-YUAN, TAIPEI TIMES
American lefty Jeriome Robertson won his seventh straight start with another brilliant outing, allowing two runs on five hits over eight frames against a potent Bears attack that leads the league with 5.2 runs per game this season.
After outfielder Kuo Dai-chi's two-run blast off Bears starter Anthony Fiore in a three-run first, the Lions added another run in the second, jumping ahead 4-0 on first baseman Chen Jia-wei's sacrifice fly before the visitors countered with a run in the third and the fifth to halve the Lions lead at 4-2.
That was as close as they got, with the Lions striking again in the bottom of the fifth on third baseman Tilson Brito's solo home run off Fiore to take a 5-2 lead before the eventual 7-3 final.
Three different Lions players had multi-hit games on the night, led by Kuo's 3-for-5 effort with a couple of RBIs. The 10-hit performance by the Lions offense was a welcome change after it had been held to four hits for consecutive games that led to two losses earlier this week.
National League
AP, SAN FRANCISCO
Barry Bonds hit one ball over the fence and another almost through it, yet the San Francisco Giants lost ground in the playoff races, falling to the Colorado Rockies 9-8 on Wednesday.
Bonds hit his 732nd career home run and 24th this season leading off the ninth, pulling the slugger within 23 of tying home-run king Hank Aaron's record 755. Bonds connected against Brian Fuentes for the second time.
Bonds also hit a crazy ground-rule double for San Francisco, which dropped into third place in the NL wild-card race 2-1/2 games behind San Diego and one behind the Philadelphia Phillies. The Giants are four back of the first-place Dodgers in the National League West.
Despite Bonds' efforts, the Giants couldn't overcome the Rockies' seven-run fifth inning that helped Jason Jennings win for the first time in more than six weeks. Colorado right fielder Brad Hawpe made an over-the-shoulder catch with two runners on to preserve the lead and get Fuentes his 26th save in 31 chances.
Noah Lowry (7-9) took the loss.
Astros 5, Cardinals 1
At St. Louis, Roy Oswalt pitched shutout ball into the ninth inning and Lance Berkman hit his 40th home run, helping Houston beat St. Louis.
Phillies 6, Braves 5
At Atlanta, left fielder Matt Diaz missed David Dellucci's line drive in the eighth inning, allowing two runs to score as Philadelphia rallied from an early five-run deficit to win the first game of a doubleheader.
Mets 7, Marlins 4, 11 innings
At Miami, Jose Valentin scored on a passed ball and Ricky Ledee came across on a throwing error later in the 11th inning, as New York pulled off another late-inning comeback to beat Florida.
Dodgers 6, Cubs 0
At Chicago, Brad Penny became the first 16-game winner in the NL and Rafael Furcal homered to help Los Angeles beat Chicago.
American League
AP, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
Minnesota Twins rookie Francisco Liriano injured his elbow and Dan Haren pitched eight shutout innings to lead the Oakland Athletics over the Twins in a 1-0 win on Wednesday.
Pitching for the first time in more than a month, All-Star lefty Liriano slumped off the mound in the third inning with pain in his left elbow, and manager Ron Gardenhire said Liriano was done for the year.
Matt Garza (1-5) pitched well in emergency relief, but he was outdueled by Haren (14-11), who struck out seven and allowed three hits.
Huston Street picked up his 32nd save to help the Athletics avoid their first three-game losing streak since late July.
In the sixth, Milton Bradley singled and stole second base, despite TV replays which showed he was tagged out. Bradley then scored on Jay Payton's ground-rule double for the game's only run.
White Sox 9, Angels 0
At Anaheim, California, Freddy Garcia pitched perfect ball until Adam Kennedy singled with two outs in the eighth inning, and Chicago beat Los Angeles.
Yankees 8, Devil Rays 4
At New York, Robinson Cano drove in five runs, Alex Rodriguez hit a long homer and New York beat overmatched Tampa Bay for its fifth straight victory.
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