The Wei Chuan Dragons’ outstanding pitching and defense ensured them a 4-1 victory in Taoyuan last night, evening up the seven-game Taiwan Series 2-2.
They limited the Rakuten Monkeys to five hits.
The most credit goes to Wei Chuan starter Bryan Woodall, a nine-year American veteran of the CPBL, who pitched a gem. He restricted the Monkeys through seven frames, giving away one run on four hits and walking three.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
The visiting Dragons went ahead early when shortstop Chang Cheng-yu slapped a bouncer up the middle that glanced off Rakuten pitcher Lin Ke-yi’s foot and sent the ball to second baseman Lin Li, who had trouble fielding it.
Chang’s hit drove in a runner from third base, as the Dragons took a one-run lead in the second inning.
In the fifth inning with men on the corners, Rakuten third baseman Liang Chia-jung hit a slow infield roller, bringing one home.
The game was tied at 1-1 until the sixth inning, when Dragons catcher Chiang Shao-hung hit an RBI-single to drive in the go-ahead run. Jan Cheng-lin got another, sending the Dragons ahead 3-1.
In ninth, Dragons center fielder Kuo Tien-hsin added another run on an RBI-single.
Reliever Chen Kuan-wei closed the door on the Monkeys, getting final three outs to ensure victory.
In Game 3 on Tuesday, the Monkeys won 7-4.
Rakuten had key hits from catcher Yen Hung-chun and Lin Li, and a sacrifice bunt by veteran Chen Chun-Hsiu to pile on three late runs.
The teams have a rest day today ahead of Game 5 tomorrow, which starts at 6:30pm at the Taipei Tianmu Baseball Stadium.
Games 6 and 7, if required, are also scheduled for Tianmu.
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