Japan 2 - Taiwan 0

The Bears and the NT both lost tightly contested matches respectively to the Fighters and the Japanese NT today.

The LA New Bears demonstrated that they can compete with the NPB's best - despite losing 2-1. The Bears were actually winning the ball game 1-o through the 7th inning thanks to a HR by LF Hao-Ju Zeng. However, the starting pitcher for the Bears - Kenny Rayborn who threw a tremendous game (lasting 7.1 IP, giving up 4 hits, allowing 1 run to go along with 6 K's), tired in the 8th when he allowed the tying run. Reliever Ramon Morel would relieve Kenny in the 8th and allow the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run in the same inning. In a classic pitcher's duel, the 2 teams totaled 9 hits between them. Bears slugger Chin-Feng Chen struggled as he was 0-4 with 2 K's. Box
The Bears can claim a rematch against the Fighters if they beat the Samsung Lions tomorrow. The Lions defeated China 12-1 today. We can probably expect to see Si-Yo Wu and Ying-Feng Tsai pitch against the Korean champs.

In the Intercontinental Cup, the NT lost 4-3 to a Japanese NT made up of primarily minor leaguers and industrial league players. Taiwan actually managed to even the score at 3 a piece in the top of the 8th inning. However, En-Yu Lin would allow the game-winning run on a solo HR given up to the Japanese clean-up hitter in the bottom of the 8th inning. That was the difference in the ball game. The starting pitcher for Taiwan, Chien-Fu Yang was exceptional, hurling 5 innings, giving up 5 hits - 2 runs, to go along with 7 K's. Reliever Po-Hsuan Keng pitched 2 shutout innings before giving way to ace En-Yu Lin in the 8th inning. IF Yung-Chi Chen continued his hot hitting as he was 2-3 at the plate. Box
Taiwan plays Australia tomorrow.

*Short blurb on C.L. Lo's success as of late.