The CTBC Brothers yesterday took the opener of the Taiwan Series with a 5-3 victory over the Rakuten Monkeys at the Taoyuan International Stadium, with Dominican lefty Jose de Paula awarded the win after pitching seven innings.
The Monkeys sluggers hit three solo homers to account for their scoring, but the Brothers scored three runs in the top of the first inning and did not relinquish the lead, adding two more runs in the ninth.
The win gives the Brothers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Taiwan Series, the CPBL championship decider. Game 2 is to start at 5pm today, also in Taoyuan.
Photo: CNA
Monkeys catcher Lin Hong-yu blasted two solo homers in the fourth and ninth frames, while first baseman Chen Chun-hsiu smashed a dinger in the seventh to ignite the near-capacity crowd of more than 14,000.
However, it was not enough after the Brothers’ early offense against American starting pitcher Dylan Covey.
Designated hitter Chen Tzu-hao (one) and third baseman Huang Wei-sheng (two) brought three men home between them.
De Paula allowed four hits in seven innings, giving up two solo homers to make it 3-2.
He issued one walk and had two strikeouts.
De Paula gave way to set-up man Tsai Chi-tse, the Brothers’ most reliable closer this season.
The scoreline remained 3-2 until the ninth frame, when Brothers outfielder Chen Wei-chieh delivered a clutch hit against Monkeys reliever Chen Yu-hsun with two men on base to bolster their score by two runs.
In the bottom of the ninth, Lin slammed his second homer of the night against closer Lu Yen-ching, but the home team could not get another run.
Lu struck out pinch hitter Kuo Yen-wen to end the game.
The Brothers had 10 hits to five for the Monkeys, while the home side committed two fielding errors.
Covey was charged with the loss, giving up six hits for three runs, although only one was earned.
He had six strikeouts and four walks in 5-1/3 innings.
Games 3 and 4 are to be played on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, the Brothers’ home ground, with both to start at 6:30pm.
If needed, games 5, 6 and 7 would be back in Taoyuan on Friday at 6:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 5pm.
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