Taiwan yesterday topped Australia 6-0 in extra innings for their first win at the Asia Professional Baseball Championship in Tokyo.
After a scoreless regulation nine innings, Taiwan erupted in the top of the 10th. Starting with runners on first and second under tournament rules, Taiwan loaded the bases on an Australia error and broke the tie when Chen Chieh-hsien, who on Thursday had one of the team’s three hits against Japan in their 4-0 loss in their first game in the tournament, delivered a two-run single.
The bases were loaded again after Yueh Cheng-hua was hit by a pitch and Lin Ching-kai smashed a grand slam.
Photo: CNA
Winning pitcher Chiu Chun-wei, who got the last two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, shut down Australia in the 10th to complete the victory.
Taiwan had seven hits in the first nine innings, but were unable to score, extending their scoreless inning streak to 18 after being shut out by Japan at the Tokyo Dome, which is hosting all of the games in the four-team tournament.
Australia also failed to muster any offense, held at bay by starter Chen Ko-yi. Over seven innings, he gave up two hits and fanned five while walking two.
Taiwan improved to 1-1, while Australia fell to 0-2 after they lost to South Korea 3-2 on Thursday.
The tournament features professional players who are mostly under 24. Each team can have three players aged 24 to 29 on their roster.
Taiwan face South Korea today, with a win probably required to secure a berth in tomorrow’s final.
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