FT Ni Outduels CF Yang......

CPBL:
Lions 4 - Elephants 2:
WP - Cheng-Feng Lin (3-2, 5 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 6 K's, 4 BB's) - game MVP
LP - Yu-Cheng Liao (11-3, 6 IP, 3 R, 9 H, 4 K's, 5 BB's)

Lions lineup:
CF Sung-Hsien Yang 2-3, RBI
RF-LF Wu-Hsiung Pan 0-3
3B Tilson Brito 2-5, HR #18, RBI
1B KC Kao 2-5, 2B
2B Chin-Tien Shih 1-2, RBI

Elephants lineup:
LF CYC 0-5
RF-CF Ming-Hsien Lin 1-5, RBI
1B Chia Chia 1-3, RBI
2B Chiang-Ho Chen 2-4
CF-RF Huai-Shan Chen 2-2, 2B - off the bench


Whales 5 - Bulls 1:
WP - Fu-Te Ni (5-10, 8 IP, 1 R - 0 ER, 2 H, 3 K's, 2 BB's) - game MVP
LP - Chien-Fu Yang (4-10, 6 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 4 K's, 1 BB)

Whales lineup:
SS Chia-Yuan Chang 2-4, RBI
RF Tai-Yung Kuo 1-4, 2B, RBI
3B Wilton Veras 1-3, RBI
2B Yi-Min Wang 2-3, RBI

Bulls lineup:
3B Tarzan 1-3
1B Kuo-Long Hsu 1-3, 2B, RBI



NPB:
The Tigers lost 6-1. WC Lin was 1-4. Box


MILB:
A+ - Daytona lost 3-2. HW Chen had a fine outing, despite earning a ND. He allowed 1 run on 3 hits over 5 IP (5K's, 0BB's). Box

A+ - High Desert is tied at 3 in the 6th. KH Lo is 1-3 with a RBI and 2 SB's (giving him 20 on the year). Box
*Updated

MJ's 15 Game Winning Streak Comes to an End.....

CPBL:
T-Rex 5 - Bears 2:
WP - Pai-Ching Chiang (3-1, 5 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 1 K, 4 BB's)
LP - Mike Johnson (15-1, 3 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 1 K, 2 BB's)

T-Rex lineup:
LF Chih-Peng Chen 2-4, 2B
SS Ming-Jen Kuo 1-3, 2B, RBI
1B Chia-Hsien Hsieh 0-3
3B Wei Kao 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI's - game MVP
CF Yuan-Chia Chen 1-3, RBI
C Ko-Fan Chen 2-4, 2B, RBI

Bears lineup:
SS Chih-Wei Shih 3-4
DH Gary Burnham 2-5, 2B, RBI
2B Chih-Tsung Chiang 2-3, 3B
3B Chin-Ping Lin 1-3, RBI


Bulls 4 - Whales 3:
WP - Wilton Chavez (1-0, 6 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 4 K's, 0 BB's)
LP - Wei-Ming Chu (2-3, 5.2 IP, 3 R - 0 ER, 6 H, 2 K's, 1 BB)

Bulls lineup:
3B Tarzan 2-4
SS Chao-Hsing Cheng 2-4
C Chun-Chang Yeh 1-4, RBI
2B Chung-Nan Lin 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI's - game MVP

Whales lineup:
3B Wilton Veras 2-3, 2B
1B Hsin-Min Wang 1-2, RBI
DH Cheng-Chi Huang 1-4, RBI
LF Chang-Long Yeh 2-4



NPB:
WC Lin was 1-3 with a BB as the Tigers lost 3-2. Box


MILB:
A+ - Kinston won 8-5. SW Tseng got shelled again, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits (including a HR) in an inning of work. Box

AAA - Vegas won 7-3. CL Hu was 1-4 with a RBI. Box


MLB:
The Dodgers won 6-2 over the D-Backs. HC Kuo threw 2 shutout innings, K'ing 5! Box
*Updated

Friday Scoreboard...

MILB:
A+ - KH Lo is 0-4 with 3 K's as his team is up 7-4 in the 7th. Box

AAA - Vegas is up 10-3 in the 7th. CL Hu is 1-4. Box



NPB:
The Tigers won 7-5. WC Lin was 2-4 with a triple and 2 RBI's. Box



CPBL:
T-Rex 5 - Bears 4:
WP - Chu-Chien Hsu (1-0, 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 K's/BB's)
LP - Yu-Wei Hsu (3-4, 6.1 IP, 4 R - 2 ER, 6 H, 4 K's, 1 BB)

T-Rex lineup:
SS Ming-Jen Kuo 2-3, HR #3, 2 RBI's - game MVP
DH Hung-Yuan Lin 1-4, RBI
1B Chia-Hsien Hsieh 0-3
C Ko-Fan Chen 2-4
RF Chih-Peng Chen 1-3, 2 RBI's

Bears lineup:
CF Long-Yi Huang 2-5, HR #10, RBI
SS Chih-Sheng Lin 2-5, 3B
DH Gary Burnham 2-5, 2B, HR #8, 2 RBI's
3B Chih-Wei Shih 3-5, 2B, RBI
C Feng-Min Chen 2-4, 2B


Lions 6 - Elephants 3:
WP - Wei-Lun Pan (10-1, 7 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 3 K's, 2 BB's)
LP - Kobayshi Ryokan (6-6, 5.1 IP, 5 R - 3 ER, 11 H, 1 K, 2 BB's)

Lions lineup:
CF Sung-Hsien Yang 0-5, RBI
LF Wu-Hsiung Pan 0-3
DH Lien-Hung Chen 2-5, HR #9, RBI
3B Tilson Brito 1-4
1B KC Kao 3-4, 2 RBI's - game MVP
RF Fu-Hao Liu 2-4, RBI
C Chih-Kang Kao 2-3
SS Sheng-Chieh Hsu 2-4

Elephants lineup:
LF CYC 1-5, HR #10, RBI
SS Sheng-Wei Wang 2-5
DH Kuan-Jen Chen 2-5, 2B
1B Chia Chia 1-3
3B Jui-Chen Chen 1-4, 2B, RBI
RF Huai-Shan Chen 2-4
2B Chiang-Ho Chen 2-4, RBI



Amateur:
Results of the recently completed Hong-Yeh Tourney (12 and under).

Bye Bye Birdie....

MILB:
The Toronto Blue Jays released LHP Chi-Hung Cheng, the third CSMG client this year to have his ties severed from a ML organization (Po-Hsuan Keng and Chin-Hui Tsao suffered the same fate). Cheng was never able to fully regain his form (prior to the tear and surgical repair of his labrum) as his fastball was in the low 80's this year. Prior to his surgery, he topped out at 88 mph but sat comfortably in the 85-87 range.

R - The AZL Mariners lost 4-3. YW Chang took the L after giving up 2 runs (1 ER) in an IP (3 BB's, 1 K). Box

A+ - Kinston lost 3-1 in a DH. SW Tseng fell to 0-8 after allowing 2 runs (1 ER) in 1.1 IP. Box

A+ - High Desert is down 4-2 in the 5th. KH Lo is 1-2 with a RBI. Box

AAA - Vegas is down 5-0 in the 6th. CL Hu is 1-2. Box




NPB:
The Tigers beat the Dragons 6-5. WY Chen started for the Dragons and earned a ND - he allowed 4 runs on 7 hits over 5.1 IP. WC Lin was 1-4 with a RBI. Box



Youth NT:
Because of heavy rains in Shizuoka, the semifinals were cancelled and a championship match was set up between the winners of the two groups - Taiwan and Japan. Japan would defeat Taiwan 3-2 in 6 innings, scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 6th to win the 2008 Asian title. Runner-Up yet again.....seems to sum up this summer's theme.


CPBL:
Bears 9 - Bulls 1:
WP - Chih-Chia Chang (2-3, 8 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 6 K's, 2 BB's) - game MVP
LP - Chih-Wei Lin (6-5, 5.1 IP, 4 R - 2 ER, 6 H, 6 K's, 4 BB's)

Bears lineup:
CF Long-Yi Huang 1-5,
SS Chih-Sheng Lin 2-4, RBI
3B Chih-Wei Shih 3-5, 3 RBI's
LF-RF Cheng-Yu Chung 1-4, 3B, 2 RBI's
2B Chih-Tsung Chiang 0-1, RBI

Bulls lineup:
RF Chien-Ming Chang 2-4
DH Tarzan 1-4, 2B, RBI


Lions 7 - Whales 6:
WP - Luther Hackman (2-1, 5 IP, 6 R - 3 ER, 8 H, 2 K's, 4 BB's)
LP - Fu-Te Ni (4-10, 0.1 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 1 K, 1 BB)

Lions lineup:
DH Kan-Lin Huang 2-5, 2 RBI's
RF-LF Wu-Hsiung Pan 2-5, 2B, RBI - game MVP
3B Tilson Brito 1-5
1B KC Kao 2-5
2B Chin-Tien Shih 1-2, 2B, RBI
C Chih-Kang Kao 2-4, RBI
2B Lien-Hung Chen 1-1, 2B, 2 RBI's - off the bench

Whales lineup:
3B Wilton Veras 2-3, RBI
RF Hsin-Min Wang 2-4, RBI
DH Cheng-Chi Huang 2-5, RBI
1B Chia-Hsien Tseng 1-4, 3B, RBI
C Yi-Wei Lee 1-3, 2 RBI's

8/27 Scores...

CPBL:
Lions 10 - Whales 5:
WP - Lou Pote (12-4, 7 IP, 5 R, 9 H, 8 K's, 4 BB's)
LP - Steve Watkins (4-10, 2.1 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 0 K's, 1 BB)

Lions lineup:
LF/RF Wu-Hsiung Pan 4-5, 3 2B's, RBI - game MVP
DH Lien-Hung Chen 0-4
3B Tilson Brito 3-4, 3 RBI's
1B KC Kao 4-5, 2 2B's, RBI
RF Fu-Hao Liu 0-4, RBI
2B Chin-Tien Shih 2-5, 3B, 3 RBI's
C Chih-Kang Kao 2-3, RBI

Whales lineup:
CF Chin-Chang Lin 2-5, 2B
LF/RF Tai-Chi Kuo 3-4
3B Wilton Veras 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI's
RF Hsin-Min Wang 0-3, RBI
DH Cheng-Chi Huang 1-4, HR #1 (first pro HR), RBI


Elephants 7 - T-Rex 2:
WP - Chia-Min Tseng (4-4, 7 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 5 K's, 3 BB's)
LP - Cory Bailey (7-5, 6.1 IP, 7 R - 1 ER, 8 H, 2 K's, 3 BB's)

Elephants lineup:
LF CYC 1-4, 2B
DH Kuan-Jen Chen 1-3, 2 RBI's
1B Chia Chia 3-4, 2 RBI's - game MVP

T-Rex lineup:
1B Chia-Hsien Hsieh 2-4, 2B
LF Chuan-Chia Wang 2-2, 2B, RB


Other:
Chin-Hui Tsao made only 2 appearances in the Olympic Games (1.2 IP total). The reason why? Per Apple Daily, Coach Hong was hesitant to use him because Tsao was still complaining of arm pain. Tsao was hoping to use the OG as a springboard back into MLB - however he is leaving his options open (NPB and CPBL are other possibilities). Tsao did hit a high of 93 mph during the OG.


NPB:
WC Lin was 0-4 as the Tigers lost 4-1. Box

CS Yang was 0-3 as the Fighters won 1-0. Box


MILB:
R - The GCL Red Sox won 6-3. CH Huang was 2-4 with a double, a HR, and 2 RBI's. CC Chen was 1-3. Box

A+ - High Desert is up 6-4 in the 8th. KH Lo is 0-2 with 2 RBI's. Box

AAA - Vegas is up 8-3 in the 7th. CL Hu is 1-2 with a triple, a RBI, and a BB. Box


Youth NT:
The NT defeated the Philippines 5-0 over 6 innings. The game was scoreless until the 6th inning when the team would erupt for all of its runs. Wei-Di Weng started for the team and proceeded to help hold the Philippines hitless in the game. Weng K'd 7.
*Updated

Tarzan's Banned Substance...

What was responsible for Tarzan's one year suspension? As reported by UDN.com, Clomiphene (Clomiphene citrate) is the answer.

Interesting excerpts from wiki on the substance:

-Rare adverse effects (<0.1%>alopecia-Clomifene is commonly used by male anabolic steroid users to bind the estrogen receptors in their bodies, thereby blocking the effects of estrogen, i.e., gynecomastia. It also restores the body's natural production of testosterone. It is commonly used as a "recovery drug" and taken toward the end of a steroid cycle.


In all fairness to Tarzan though, he did not test positive for anabolic steroid use. Also clomiphene citrate has been used to help restore fertility in men.
This is what Tarzan has been claiming is the root of why he tested positive for a banned substance. Tarzan has been married since 1999 and is still childless.

Tarzan Banned from International Comp. For 1 Year....

CPBL:
Tai-Shan Chang has been banned for one year (until August 19th, 2009) from participating in any international competitions by the IBAF for his role in taking a banned substance. While his bat would've been nice to have during all of the 1-run deficits that the Olympic NT faced, this also means that he will not be available for the World Baseball Classic taking place in March of next year.

Bears 8 - Bulls 6:
WP - Ying-Feng Tsai (1-3, 5 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 K, 2 BB's)
LP - Wen-Ping Yu (6-3, 4.1 IP, 6 R, 9 H, 0 K's, 1 BB)

Bears lineup:
CF Long-Yi Huang 2-5, 2 2B's, RBI
RF Chien-Wei Tsai 3-5
SS Chih-Sheng Lin 1-3, 2 RBI's
DH Gary Burnham 2-5, 2B, RBI
1B Chung-Wei Pan 2-3, 2 2B's, 3 RBI's - game MVP
C Feng-Min Chen 2-4, 2B, RBI

Bulls lineup:
CF Hua-Wei Tseng 1-5, 2 RBI's
LF Hsien-Ming Yu 1-5, RBI
DH Tarzan 2-3
SS Chao-Hsing Cheng 0-3, RBI
3B Chih-Wei Chen 2-3, 2B, RBI
2B Chung-Nan Lin 1-3, RBI


T-Rex 4 - Elephants 2:
WP - Chih-Chung Yen (1-0, 2.2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 K, 3 BB's) - Starter Nathan Bland earned a ND despite 5 shutout innings, giving up 4 hits while K'ing 4.
LP - Dan Core (6-3, 7 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 4 K's, 3 BB's)

T-Rex lineup:
1B Chia-Hsien Hsieh 0-4
LF Chuan-Chia Wang 2-3, RBI
3B Wei Kao 3-4, RBI - game MVP
C Hao-Jan Huang 2-4 - off the bench

Elephants lineup:
LF CYC 0-4
1B Chia-Chia 2-3, HR#6, RBI
DH Kuan-Jen Chen 2-4
3B Jui-Chen Chen 1-3, RBI


NPB:
The Tigers won 4-0. WC Lin smacked a HR and was 2-4 with 2 RBI's. Box


MILB:
R - The Red Sox swept a DH from the Twins in the GCL. The Sox won game 1, 6-3. CH Huang was 1-3 with a RBI. Box
The Sox won game 2, 3-2. CH Huang was 1-2 with a BB. WW Lin was 1-3. Box

R - The GCL Braves lost 5-4. CE Hung threw a scoreless 8th inning. Box

R - The GCL Indians won 12-3. CH Chen was 0-4 with a BB and an error. Box

R - The GCL Tigers won 7-3. CT Tang was 0-3 with 2 BB's and his 3rd SB of the year. Box

A - Lansing lost 6-3. CH Cheng earned the loss, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits over 2 IP. Box

A+ - Daytona won 8-1. HW Chen threw 2 shutout innings, K'ing 2. Box

AAA - Vegas is up 2-1 in the 8th. CL Hu is 1-3 with an error. Box



YOUTH NT:
Taiwan won 13-0 over Hong Kong in 5 innings on Tuesday. Cheng-Han Tsai started for the NT and helped to hold the HK squad hitless over 5 innings.
*Updated

Silver Lining.....

It's been a tough summer - no championships in major amateur events and a crash & burn showing in the Olympics. However, no matter the results, you can always find a positive in all of the negativity surrounding the lack of success.

First off, the junior National Team: MLB signees: RHP Yao-Wen Chang (10/31/90), C Meng-Hsiu Tsai (5/13/90), RHP Wei-Chen Huang (3/6/1990), RHP Hsin-Hong Tsai (4/24/90) & NPB signee RHP Yi-Hao Lin (1/2/91) were all age-eligible prospects who were not on the junior NT roster. Several other prominent names were also left off of the junior NT - you can thank the Ku-Pao HS coach for his selections (9 of the 20 kids selected were from Ku-Pao while 8 other selections were from the teams that placed 2nd - 4th at the 2008 Yu-Shan Cup). It would've been nice (and made more sense) if the selection process for the junior NT was similar to the model the USA follows. Still the team only had one blowout loss and lost to the eventual champs by 1 run - all this despite the much hyped Rong-Hao Hsieh ('06 youth NT, '07 junior NT) being a major disappointment. RHP Che-Ming Su, OF Yen-Ju Chen, IF Yu-Hsiang Chen, and IF Fu-Lin Kuo ('06 youth NT) all performed well. FL Kuo (who's game is similar to Reds prospect Yen-Wen Kuo) may be the team's best pro-prospect. Heralded youngster - IF Wei-Chen Wang ('07 youth NT) had a rough go as a 17 year old on the international stage.

Fu-Lin Kuo

*FL Kuo's Blog/Album



Rong-Hao Hsieh
*RH Hsieh's Blog/Album



Wei-Chen Wang
*WC Wang's Blog/Album

Regarding the Pony Baseball Organization, despite failing to win a championship this summer, all three reps from Taiwan earned the runner-up position in their respective World Series. Several kids have established themselves as names to remember for the future and will hopefully follow in the footsteps of those before them.

At the Palomino World Series: prospects Wei-Da Su, RHP's Cheng-Hao Wang & Po-Cheng Chi (side-arm release, 91 mph fb) headlined the team from Taichung.

Wei-Da Su
*WD Su's Album/Blog

At the Pony World Series: last year's two Little League stars Chao-Min Wang and Chi-Yuan Chen made the jump up a level. CY Chen looked impressive at the plate (he's corrected that Eric Davis-like awkward batting stance he used last year), showed good speed on the basepaths, and flashed nice range and a strong arm at SS. Nonetheless, the team was also led by slugger Li-Jen Chu (physically mature for his age) and staff ace Lee-Wei Chiang (tall and very projectable - he's Yu-Hung Lee's little brother).

Chen & Wang

Chi-Yuan Chen
*CY Chen's Blog/Album

Lee-Wei Chiang
*LW Chiang's Blog/Album

Lee-Jen Chu

Much like last year's LL dynamic duo of Wang and Chen, the Bronco World Series reps were led by two promising youngsters: Chia-Ming Tu and Kuan-Yi Lee.

2008 Asian Youth Championships Underway....

Youth NT:

The 5th annual Asian Youth Championships have begun in Shizuoka, Japan. The boys are grouped with Hong Kong, the Philippines and IZU (Japan) in group A. Group B is made up of ZAMA (Japan), South Korea, Thailand, and the Japanese youth NT. The tourney will run through the 29th of this month.

Taiwan's schedule:
1)8/25 vs. IZU (Japan)
2)8/26 vs. Hong Kong
3)8/27 vs. the Philippines

Starting August 28th, the top 2 teams from each group will play each other in the semifinals, with the championship game taking place August 29th.

Pics of the event (in Japanese)

Taiwan won it's opening game 10-0 against IZU (Japan). The two teams were in a scoreless tie until the NT scored a run in the 5th before blowing the game open with 9 runs in the 6th and final inning. Starting pitcher Chieh Pan threw 5 scoreless innings.

CPBL:
The league resumes action tomorrow.

MILB:
Here's Chao-Ting Tang's blog/album.

R - The GCL Tigers lost to the Indians 4-0 in the first game of a DH. CT Tang was 0-2. Box
CH Chen was 2-3 as the Indians lost 2-0 in game 2. Box

R - The GCL Red Sox lost 7-6. CH Huang was 0-3; CC Chen was 1-4 with a double and a RBI; WY Lin started and allowed 5 runs on 7 hits (2 HR's) in 4.2 IP. Box

A ss - Williamsport won 16-7. YF Lin threw a scoreless 9th, K'ing 3. Box

A+ - High Desert is up 1-0 in the 5th. KH Lo is 1-2 with a RBI. Box




NPB:
WC Lin was 0-4 as his team won 3-0. Box
*Updated

MILB/MLB Scores...

MILB:
AAA - CL Hu was 0-5 as his team won 7-6. Box

R - The GCL Twins won 7-4 in game 1 of a DH. WW Lin was 0-3. Box

R - The GCL Red Sox won 10-2 in game 1 of a DH. CH Huang was 0-4. Box
In game 2, the Red Sox won 2-0. CH Huang was 1-2 with a BB. Box

R - The AZL Mariners lost 5-4. YW Chang started but earned the L. He gave up 2 runs on 5 hits over 3 IP (5K's - 0BB's). Box



MLB:
HC Kuo pitched 1 scoreless inning of relief. The Dodgers lost to the Phillies 5-2 in 11. Box

Pony League World Series Championship Game on FSW Today...

If you get Fox Sports West, the championship game between Long Beach, CA and Taiwan will be rebroadcast at 11 AM Pacific.

Gold for South Korea....

OG:
Hats off to South Korea on a perfect run through the Olympic Games. SK beat Cuba in the gold medal match up 3-2. It's been quite a year for South Korean baseball - the juniors won the world championships not too long ago and some more marquee HS kids are making the jump to the US.

The US finished 3rd in the OG, beating Japan 8-4.


MILB:
AAA - CL Hu is 2-5 as Vegas is tied at 6 in the 10th. He also has committed 2 errors in the game. Box
*Updated

Deal or No Deal.......

Here's an update on two of the bigger-named unsigned amateur pitchers on the island. Both players have had some decent offers thrown their way by MLB teams. However at this time, both kids are gambling on a bigger pay day down the line. What was at stake?

RHP Chih-Lung Huang (pictured on right) turned down a $150K offer while RHP Chia-Jen Lo (pictured on left) turned down $200K - a mistake on their behalves? Perhaps........only time will tell.

Friday Minors...

MILB:
A+ - SW Tseng gave up the GW HR in the 12th as his team lost 3-2 in extra innings. Tseng is 0-7 this year in Kinston. Box

AAA - Vegas won 12-0. CL Hu was 3-4 with a double and 2 RBI's. Box

Thursday Scores....

MILB:
R - Lansing lost 7-3. CH Cheng earned the loss despite not allowing any earned runs over 3 IP. Box

AAA - Vegas lost 13-0. CL Hu was 0-3. Box

*Per Baseball America, Che-Hsuan Lin was selected by managers in the SAL as the best defensive OF in the league.



MLB:
HC Kuo got back on track after throwing 1.2 shutout innings against the Rockies. The Dodgers won 3-1. Box



NPB:
WC Lin is back.....he's actually been back since August 12th. Here's how he's done:
8/12: 1-3, BB
8/13: 0-3, BB
8/15: 0-1
8/16: 1-4
8/17: 1-3
8/19: 3-6, HR, 2 RBI's
8/20: 1-4, 2B
8/21: 0-4

Post-Olympic Amateur Prospect Positioning.....

There were three amateurs on the NT - all pitchers: Chia-Jen Lo, Kai-Wen Cheng, and Chen-Chang Lee.

One player def. helped himself with his performance in Beijing while two others potentially hurt their stock.


RHP Chen-Chang Lee
The side-armer reached 92 mph in his outing against the USA and flashed an above average slider to help boost his value in the tournament after living in oblivion over the past 2 years. He is currently with CSMG and has reportedly turned down a $150-175K offer ($90 K per another source) from the Indians before. Lee, who was once hyped by Keith Law as the top signable Taiwanese collegiate pitcher in 2007, has garnered little interest over the past 2 years due to poor performances but has rebounded now. His expectation is likely to reach ~ $300,000. The down-side to Lee is the fact that being a side-armer limits his potential somewhat and he hasn't had the best track record over the past 2 years. He also has a history of a shoulder injury as reported by the Taiwanese media. CC Lee's blog/album *edited/updated



RHP Chia-Jen Lo
The most sought-after prospect available on the team. His value dropped as a result of his performance during the Olympics. Velocity topped out at 93 mph but he had poor command of his fastball and poor breaking pitch offerings. Throw in his rumored demand of ~$400,000 and a possible history of a shoulder injury, his chances of signing with a MLB team are lower now than before the tourney. Word is that the Red Sox and Rangers have held off in their pursuit of him. Also the Twins made an offer to Lo prior to the Olympics which was turned down. That offer is now off the table. His agent is Kenny Lin, who broke off from KDN. CJ Lo's album/blog *edited


RHP Kai-Wen Cheng
His performance against Japan significantly dropped his value; he was lacking in a few key elements: composure on the mound, command of his pitches, and velocity on his fb. He is still young but because he is undersized, has average velocity, a subpar release angle, and history of a shoulder injury, the chances of him signing anytime soon are unlikely. In addition, his signing bonus demand is ~ $300,000. The Twins and Royals likely still have some interest but the offer would be very low. He is represented by Bros Sports. KW Cheng's album/blog


To wrap things up, all 3 pitchers are talented but also have a history of injuries and high signing bonus demands. If Lee and Lo do not sign anytime soon, then they will likely play in the CPBL. Cheng will continue on with college.

Wild Win Vs. Canada...

OG:
Well, the NT finally won a close game, this time defeating Canada 6-5 in extra innings (12) to salvage a bit of lost pride.
Coach Hong pulled out all the stops, using his top starting pitchers available against Canada - lefty Wei-Yin Chen finally got his second appearance of the tourney (he started in the team's first game) and was then relieved by Wei-Lun Pan. Fu-Te Ni, pitching on one day's rest, was instrumental in the team's win. Ni relieved Pan and proceeded to throw 5 shutout innings, K'ing 6 and earned the win.
Offensively, Red Sox farmhand CF Che-Hsuan Lin finally found his stroke and led the team with a 3-5, HR, 2 RBI, SB performance. SS Chih-Sheng Lin hit his second HR of the tourney in as many nights. The team's other 2 US minor-leaguers, also had multiple hits: 2B Chih-Hsien Chiang was 2-6 with a 2B, the GW-RBI, SB while LF Kuo-Hui Lo was 2-4 with a 2B, RBI.

Box/Play-By-Play/Recap

With the win, the team salvaged 5th place in the tourney. Despite failing to reach the medal round, the youngsters on the NT provided us with some solace and hope for the future. NT starters: Wei-Yin Chen (23), Kuo-Hui Lo (22), Chih-Hsien Chiang (20), and Che-Hsuan Lin (19) are all younger than 24.

Team's final stats


CC Chang Closing Out the Game:


CH Chiang's GW Hit in the 12th:



MILB:
R - The GCL Indians lost 10-3 (game began on 8/8/08). CH Chen was 1-3 with a RBI and a BB. Box The GCL Indians lost today's game 1-0. CH Chen was 0-3. Box

R - The GCL Braves lost 6-2. CE Hung threw 1 scoreless inning. Box

R - The GCL Red Sox lost 4-1. CH Huang was 1-4. Box

R - The GCL Tigers won 9-3. CT Tang was 1-4 with an error. Box

AAA - Vegas won 8-5. CL Hu was 0-4 with an error. Box
*Updated

USA Prevails 4-2.....

OG:
The NT lost another close game despite being limited to only 5 hits from the US pitching staff. Taiwan was led by SS Chih-Sheng Lin's big night at the plate - he was 2-4 with a double, a HR, and a RBI. Taiwan will try and salvage some pride in their last game against Canada tomorrow. A loss would signify the worst-ever showing by the NT in the Olympic Games.

Box/Play-By-Play/Game Recap (There will def. be some coaching changes to the NT after the OG are finished)

Chih-Sheng Lin's HR:



Chih-Sheng Lin's Double in the 5th Inning - leading to the NT's first run scored:



MILB:
A+ - Kinston lost 17-14. SW Tseng allowed a run in 2 innings of work. Box



MLB:
The Dodgers are down 5-3 to the Rockies in the 8th. HC Kuo has walked the first 2 batters he's faced. Box

Taiwanese Giants Updates....

Here's how the 3 Yomiuri Giants are currently doing:

RHP Yi-Hao Lin recently threw 2 innings, topped out at 92 mph, average velocity ~ 90 mph but had no command, giving up 4 runs

LHP Yu-Hung Lee recently threw 1 perfect inning; he topped out at 88 mph

RHP Chien-Ming Chiang's condition is poor, he has no velocity, his mechanics are out of whack, and has had no recent outings


*Speaking of Japan, amateur pitcher Chia-Jen Lo reportedly has a new agent - he's being represented by KDN's former rep in Taiwan, Kenny Lin. Lin split from Don Nomura (the reason may have had something to do with this fiasco?) and is shopping Lo on his own now.

Monday Scores....

MILB:
R - The GCL Indians lost 2-0. CH Chen was 1-2 with a double. Box

R - The GCL Tigers lost 9-6. CT Tang was 1-3. Box

A+ - Daytona won 6-5 in 10. HW Chen gave up 4 runs on 4 hits (including a HR) in 1.1 IP. Box

AAA - Vegas is tied at 4 in the 9th. CL Hu is 2-4 with a RBI. Box



NPB:
Playing catch up with CS Yang:
8/10 - 0-4
8/12 - 0-0, RBI
8/14 - 0-1
8/15 - 0-1
8/17 - 0-3
8/18 - 0-0, SB

9-8 Loss to South Korea....

OG:
Coach Hong's decision to start CF Yang will be questioned for quite some time. Despite 2 errors contributing to South Korea scoring 7 runs in the 1st, Yang gave up 4 ER on 5 hits (including a 3-run HR) in his inning of work. Even with Yang's shaky performance, the NT still managed to rally and tie the game at 8 in the 6th inning. SK C Min-Ho Kang would then drive in the GW run in the top of the 7th inning.

Leading the way offensively for the NT was 1B Chia Chia who was 4-5 with a double and 2 RBI's.

Box/Play-By-Play


Chia Chia's 4 Hits:

*Updated

CF Yang Penciled to Start Against SK.....

OG:
The game between Taiwan and South Korea is scheduled to kick off shortly. Chien-Fu Yang is scheduled to start against the undefeated SK squad. Despite Yang's poor showing against China and the fact that he's only 4-9 with a 4.98 ERA in the CPBL this year, coach Hong is going with an experienced starter and hoping that Yang can duplicate what he did in the OQT earlier this year. The coach has also shuffled the lineup around - Che-Hsuan Lin has been moved to the bottom of the order while Kuo-Hui Lo is now batting in front of Chia Chia.



MILB:
R - The GCL Red Sox won 3-0. CH Huang was 2-5 with 2 doubles and a RBI. CC Chen was 1-3. Box

A - Asheville lost 14-8. SA Kuo 3 runs in 1.2 innings of relief. Box

AAA - Vegas is down 6-3 in the 8th. CL Hu is 2-4 with an error. Box

More Heartbreak....

PONY:
A walk-off 2-run HR in the bottom of the 7th helped Long Beach, CA capture the Pony League World Series title, beating Taiwan 3-2.

WJPA Recap:

"Long Beach is Walk-Off Winner!
Oliver Van Buskirk stroked a pinch-hit, two-run, walk-off homerun for Long Beach to win the 2008 PONY League World Series!

Linescore
CT 1-0-0-0-0-0-1=2
LB 0-0-0-0-1-0-2=3

Inning by inning recap:
_LB 7th--Matt Maccarrone singled to open the inning. Oliver Van Buskirk homered to right, winning the PONY League World Series championship.

CT 7th--Chiang Lee Wei walked on a 3-2 pitch, was sacrificed to second by Lin Yu Chih, then stole third. Wang Chao Min singled to center, scoring Chiang. Hu Chih Wei singled to right, moving Wang to second. After a passed ball moved up both runners, Wang was retired in a rundown between third and home. A popout ended the inning.

LB 6th--Groundout, strikeout, flyout.

CT 6th--Three up, three down. With the aid of the caught stealing and a doubleplay, DeJong has retired 13 straight.

LB 5th--After one out, Avery Flores singled. Brett Harper hit into a force play, but reached second on a throwing error, the ball going into the camera circle. DeWolf singled to left, scoring Harper. A flyout ended the inning with one left on.

CT 5th--With one out, Hsu Yung Cheng singled to right. A groundball doubleplay ended the inning.

LB 4th--All three batters hit balls to short--pop out, groundout, lineout.

CT 4th--Three up, three down.

LB 3rd--DeWolf reached on a groundball error but was erased on a line drive doubleplay.

CT 3rd--Liu Chia Kai walked but was later caught stealing.

LB 2nd--Soloman Willings, Irie Elizalde and Matt Maccarrone all singled to open the inning, loading the bases. Two flyouts and a groundout left the bases loaded.

CT 2nd--With two out, CHiu Chun Chang walked. Hsu Yung Cheng bunted for a basehit. A lineout ended the inning with two left on.

LB 1st--After one out, Daniel DeWolf singled to leftcenter. Thomas Walker grounded into a force play and was stranded.

CT 1st--After two out, Chen Chi Yuan doubled to center. Chu Li Jen reached on a throwing error, scoring Chen. A groundout ended the inning with one left on."

Starting Lineups:

Taichung, Taiwan				Long Beach, CA
7	Hsu Hao Feng	CF		8	Brett Harper	CF
5	Liu Chia Kai	1B		11	Daniel DeWolf	3B
13	Chen Chi Yuan	SS		24	Thomas Walker	SS
3	Chu Li Jen	3B		34	Chase DeJong	P
1	Chiang Lee Wei	RF		5	Soloman Williams	1B
2	Lin Yu Chih	C		99	Irie Elizalde	LF
15	Wang Chao Min	LF		16	Matt Maccarrone	C
10	Chiu Chun Chang	P		15	Victor Martinez	RF
6	Hsu Yung Cheng	2B		2	Avery Flores	2B

MLB:
HC Kuo has given up a go-ahead 2-run HR to JJ Hardy of the Brewers in the 8th inning. The Dodgers are now down 3-2 in the 8th. Box



MILB:
R - The GCL Tigers won 4-0. CT Tang was 1-3 with a double and a RBI. Box

R - The GCL Red Sox won 5-4 over the Twins. CH Huang was 0-4 while WY Lin threw 5.1 innings, allowing 3 runs (1 ER). WY Lin's twin brother, WW Lin DNP, but he is back in action.

A+ - Kinston lost 6-4. SW Tseng earned the loss after giving up 4 runs (2 earned) in an inning of work. Tseng is 0-6 on the year in Kinston. Box

AAA - Vegas is down 5-4 in the 7th. CL Hu is 0-3. Box



Other Amateur:
Over in Alameda, CA, Taiwan lost to Japan 4-2 on Friday.

1-0 Loss to Cuba....

OG:
You gotta take your hat off to the starting pitchers on the NT - collectively, they've allowed only 2 runs in the 4 games played (including tourney favs Japan and Cuba). Unfortunately for today's starter, Chen-Chang Lee, the one run he'd give up was the only run scored in the game. Lee was phenomenal against the Cuban NT, allowing only 1 run on 3 hits over 6.2 IP (7 K's, 2 BB's). His only mistake of the game was a solo HR allowed in his last inning of work to LF Frederich Cepeda.

Give the NT some credit for shaking off yesterday's disaster and giving Cuba all it could handle (even with CFC out of the lineup).

CC Lee's 7 K's:


Box

China Upsets Taiwan 8-7 in 12 Innings....

OG:
Well, Friday 8/15 marks a low point in the history of the NT. Taiwan lost to China in extra innings, wasting a strong performance from SP Wei-Lun Pan (6.1 shutout innings, 4 H, 8 K's). Taiwan squandered a 2-0 lead in the 8th inning and a 7-3 lead in the 12th inning. China rallied for 5 unanswered runs in the bottom of the 12th against Bulls starter Chien-Fu Yang to pull off the upset.

One of the few bright spots for the team offensively was Mariners farmhand Kuo-Hui Lo. He hit the team's first HR of the tourney and was 2-2 with 4 walks and 2 RBI's. 3B Chih-Wei Shih collected 3 hits in 4 AB's.

On paper, this was a game that Taiwan was favored in (and was a must-win game for the team if it had any medal aspirations) - it will now face an uphill battle to finish in the top 4 (very unlikely) as the 4 remaining games are against powerhouses - Cuba, South Korea, the US, and Canada.

GW run scored by China in the 12th (Throw coming from RF Chien-Ming Chang - who was charged with the error - 2B Chih-Hsien Chiang was involved in the play as well - getting in the path of the throw):



Box/Recap
*Updated


PONY:
At least there was some good news on the day; Taiwan beat Puerto Rico 5-4 on Friday to move on to the championship game tomorrow in the Pony League World Series.

WJPA's recap:
"Chinese Taipei Rallies Past Gurabo, Makes Final

Chiang Lee Wei tossed a complete game four-hitter, leading Chinese Taipei to a 5-4 win over Gurabo, PR and a berth in Saturday's PONY League World Series championship game against Long Beach, CA.

Gurabo started quickly, leading 2-0 after four batters. Daniel Flores walked to open the game. After a wild pitch, Chrisian E. Rivera singled. A double steal brought Flores home. After a fielder's choice, Richard Gonzalez grounded out to short, scoring Rivera.

Hsu Hao Feng singled to open the first for Chinese Taipei and moved to second on a groundout. Chu Li Jen singled to left, scoring Hsu.

After one out in the second, Lin Yu Chih doubled. After an error put Wang Chao Min on first, both runners moved up on an errant pickoff throw. Pinch-hitter Tseng Hsin Hao tied the game with sacrifice fly to right.

The Caribbean champions went back in front when Gonzalez stroked a two-run homerun to right, scoring Flores ahead of him. But Gurabo would only get two more hits the rest of the night. In fact, Chiang would get nine strikeouts from that point on.

Meanwhile, Chu kept up the scoring, lining a solo homerun to rightcenter in the fourth. With two on and two out in the fifth, Chu singled to score Hsu, tying the game. Chiang followed with a mis-handled grounder to short, allowing Liu Chia Kai to score the game-winning run.

Chiang struck out a series-high 14 batters, walking five and allowing just four hits to earn his second win of the season. Chiang will also receive the New ERA pitching award, locking up the lowest ERA of Series pitchers with at least 8 innings of work.

Chu finished the game with three hits and three runs batted in. Gonzalez drove in three for Gurabo.

New ERA Title
Chiang Lee Wei, Chinese Taipei
Individual Home Run Derby
1. Chu Li Jen, Chinese Taipei"


MILB:
R - The Red Sox won game 1 of a DH 1-0. CH Huang was 1-2 with a double and drove in the game's only run. CC Chen was 0-2. Box

R - The Tigers won 4-3 in game 2 of a DH. CT Tang was 0-4 with a RBI and an error. Box
The Tigers lost game 1 3-2. CT Tang was 2-3 with a double and 2 RBI's. Box

R - The GCL Indians lost 6-5 in 11. CH Chen was 0-2 with 3 BB's. Box

A ss - Williamsport won 5-4. YF Lin threw 1 scoreless inning. Box

A - Lansing lost 4-3. Although CH Cheng took the loss, he was impressive - giving up 1 run over 6 innings. Box

AAA - Vegas is down 9-3 in the 8th. CL Hu is 1-3 with a RBI. Box
*Updated

NT Falls to Japan 6-1....

OG:
Up until the 9th inning, the NT kept things close against some of the top NPB talent available. Taiwan actually held a brief 1-0 lead in the 4th inning before Japan would score 2 over the next 2 innings to take a 2-1 lead. Plating Taiwan's lone run was Red Sox farmhand Chih-Hsien Chiang - he was 2-3.


Vid of Chiang's run-producing plate appearance:


1B Chia Chia collected Taiwan's only other hits (2-4 with a double). SP Wen-Hsiung Hsu pitched well, giving up 1 run on 3 hits over 5 IP. Chih-Chia Chang also performed well against his former league mates, throwing 2.2 shutout innings, K'ing 3.

Chia Chia's near miss:


Japan would plate 4 runs in the top of the 9th off of relievers Chin-Hui Tsao and Kai-Wen Cheng to produce the game's final score.

US minor leaguers Kuo-Hui Lo and Che-Hsuan Lin were hitless in their 7 collective AB's. Lin struggled in particular, K'ing in all 4 of his AB's, although he did make another nice defensive gem in the field.

Vid of Lin making a nice grab:


Box




MILB:
R - The GCL Red Sox lost game 2 of a DH 1-0. CH Huang was 1-2 with a BB. Box
CH Huang was 0-4 in the first game of the DH. The Red Sox lost 5-4. Box

R - The GCL Indians won 3-2 in 11. CH Chen was 0-1 as a PH. Box

AAA - Vegas is down 3-1 in the 9th. CL Hu is 0-3. Box



MLB:
The Dodgers are up 3-1 over the Phillies in the 8th. HC Kuo has thrown a scoreless 8th inning, K'ing 2. Box



PONY:
Puerto Rico beat Taiwan 7-4 on Thursday, forcing a do-or-die game tomorrow night between the same two teams.

WJPA.com's recap of tonight's action:
"Gurabo Forces "If Necessary" Game

PR 1st--Daniel Flores walked. Vimael Machin hit a two-run homerun. PR 2, CT 0.

PR 3rd--Christian E. RIvera singled, stole second and scored on Vimael Machin's single to right. PR 3, CT 0.

CT 6th--Liu Chia Kai homered to center. Chu Li Jen homered to rightcenter. Chen Chi Yuan was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a Lin Yu Chih basehit. PR 3, CT 3.

PR 6th--Jan Ramos laid down a bunt single. Nelson Flores reached on a sacrifice/error. Miguel Riestra reached on a sacrifice/fielder's choice, loading the bases. After a flyout, Christian E. Rivera reached on an error, scoring Ramos. Vimael Machin singled to center, scoring Flores and Riestra. Richard Gonzalez singled to left, scoring Rivera. PR 7, CT 3.

CT 7th--Huang Hou Chi and Tseng Hsin Hao singled to start the inning. Hsu Hao Feng reached on a fielder's choice, Tseng's pinch runner out for interference. Liu CHia Kai reached on an error, loading the bases. Chiang Lee Wei walked. PR 7, CT 4."

Other Amateur:
In the Alameda World Tourney Baseball, Taiwan lost to the host team 2-0 yesterday.
*Updated

Opening Win Vs. Netherlands...

OG:
Taiwan defeated the Netherlands 5-0 yesterday. Wei-Yin Chen led the way with 7 K's in 7 innings, while RF Chien-Ming Chang was 2-3 with 2 RBI's. Box


Wei-Yin Chen's 7 K's:


Che-Hsuan Lin Making Things Look Routine:




PONY:
In the Bronco League World Series, the boys fell to Panama City 3-1 in the championship game. 0-2 so far in championship games this year.



MILB:
R - The GCL Indians beat the Tigers 7-6. CT Tang was 1-4 with a RBI while CH Chen was 2-5 with 2 RBI's. Box

R - The GCL Braves won 6-3 in 12. CE Hung threw 3 scoreless innings, K'ing 3. Box

AAA - Vegas is tied at 5 in the 11th. CL Hu is 3-5 with a walk, a RBI, and error #2. Box
*Updated

Tarzan Comes Up Positive For Banned Substance...

OG:
With the team taking on the Netherlands today (the 13th), news has it that veteran CPBL slugger Tai-Shan Chang has tested positive for a banned substance - he is not in the starting lineup for today's game.

Lefty Wei-Yin Chen is starting as the game is scoreless in the 2nd.

Watch here.


PONY:
Playing catchup - Taiwan lost for the second year in a row in the championship game of the Palomino League World Series - this time to Houston, Texas 14-3. More on the Kyle Chapman squad from Texas.
More on the Taiwanese squad in San Jose.

In the Bronco League World Series, the team is playing in the championship game against Panama City, Panama.

The Pony League reps have today off after starting the tourney off 2-0. Last year's two LLWS stars, Chao-Ming Wang and Chi-Yuan Chen are on this squad.



Other Amateur:
Taiwan has also sent a team to participate in the Alameda World Tournament Baseball. The team is currently 1-1 after 2 days.



MILB:
R - The AZL Mariners are down 6-0 in the 8th. YW Chang has thrown 1 scoreless inning. Box

A ss - Williamsport lost 7-2. YF Lin threw 1 scoreless inning. Box

AAA - Vegas is up 5-2 in the 8th. CL Hu is 1-3 with his 2nd SB of the year. Box



MLB:
The Dodgers are down 3-2 to the Phillies in the 8th. HC Kuo has punched out two (Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell) in an inning of relief. Box