Narrow Win Versus Cross-Straits Rival....

Tseng - Winning Pitcher

Taiwan pulled out a tight 4-2 win over China on Monday. China, who was crushed a day earlier by Japan 16-0, managed to keep things fairly even with the Taiwanese team. Taiwan would score first in the 2nd inning on a solo HR by Tai-Shan Chang. China would strike back and tie things up on a sac-fly in the top of the 3rd. Taiwan would then retake the lead in the bottom of the inning by adding 2 more runs thanks to a Yung-Chi Chen triple and a WP/error committed by the Chinese squad. Sung-Wei Tseng, who pitched a great game - throwing 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits to go along with 8 K's and 2 walks, gave up a solo HR in the 7th inning to make things interesting. Leading by only one, C.F. Chen would blast a clutch leadoff solo blast in the 8th inning to give us a lil more breathing room and give us our final score 4-2.

The 2-run win continues a disturbing recent trend where the Chinese NT continues to give the Taiwanese NT a much closer game than anticipated. I will assume that we shake off this game and handily beat the RP NT tomorrow. That sets up the showdown with Japan for the gold medal on Thursday. The Japanese team, despite their amateur/industrial league status, is talented as evidenced by several members of the team being selected fairly high in the recent NPB draft. Matchup wise, if Kuo is available to pitch on Thursday, then the game should be a low scoring affair for the most part. The wild card will be the Japanese pitching staff - if they can hold down our hitters, then the winner of this game is anyone's guess.

Box Score
PlayByPlay

Finally! A Win Versus Japan....

Taiwan won the bronze after it extracted a small measure of revenge against the Japanese NT by beating them the second time around in the I-Cup. Taiwan blanked Japan 4-0 on a dominant performance by Chien-Fu Yang and Sung-Wei Tseng. The 2 combined to K 10 hitters and allowed only 4 hits throughout the game. Taiwan's offense managed 10 hits and 2 HR's against their opponent. After a double by Chien-Ming Chang in the opening frame, Yung-Chi Chen would drive in the game's first run by singling Chang home. Chen was 3-3 with a RBI. Taiwan would add 2 more runs in the 3rd inning on Tai-Shan Chang's 2-run HR. Chung-Shou Yang would complete the scoring by cranking a solo HR in the 8th inning.
Box Score

The 3rd place showing was Taiwan's best effort since 1983 when it also won 3rd at the Intercontinental Cup. As for the tourney all-star team, only Yung-Chi Chen made the roster at 2B.

All-Star

Overall the team tied Australia for most HR's hit by a team with 10. Chung-Shou Yang led the tourney in runs scored while also tying for second overall in SB's and HR's hit. See more individual leaders here. The team's cumulative stats can be found here.

Close Loss to Cuba....

Taiwan lost a heartbreaking 1 run game to Cuba in the semifinals of the Intercontinental Cup 5-4. After falling behind 5-1, Taiwan would rally to score 3 runs in the top of the 8th inning. As for Taiwan's offense: Chung-Shou Yang (1-4) would drive in Taiwan's first run with a RBI-double in the 5th inning. In the 8th inning, Taiwan would mount it's rally with RBI's coming from the heart of it's order - Tai-Shan Chang, Yi-Chuan Lin, and Chia-Hsien Hsieh would all drive in runs. However pinch hitter Guan-Ren Chen would strike out to end the threat in the 8th inning. Taiwan's starter Wei-Lun Pan was unable to hold down the explosive Cuban offense as he gave up 4 runs on 8 hits in 3.1 innings. Sung-Wei Tseng continued to impress as he held the Cubans scoreless over the last 3 innings, giving up 3 hits to go along with 3 K's.
Box Score
Despite the loss, Taiwan will get another shot at beating Japan on Sunday in the bronze medal game. The Netherlands defeated Japan on Saturday, putting them in the finals against Cuba. On the brighter side of things, this is the first time that we've defeated the Cuban NT in 3 different age groups in the same year. Earlier in the year, our junior NT & collegiate NT defeated their Cuban counterparts. The significance of the victories? Not only can we compete with the world's best amateurs, but the overall quality of baseball in Taiwan has improved significantly over the past few years.

Other News:
Cor has kindly uploaded a short video clip of Taiwan's victory (2nd and 3rd innings) over Cuba in the I-Cup over at Taiwaneseballplayers.com. Check it out!

Lo lost his 3rd game of the season in the HWB on Wednesday night. Lo pitched 4 innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. Lo had a 10 inning scoreless streak broken up after he allowed a run in the first inning.
Box Score

WIN VS. CUBA!

GW Clutch HR!

Facing elimination from the Intercontinental Cup, the Taiwanese NT dug deep and managed to defeat the Cuban NT 4-3 despite being outhit 10-4. With Cuba up 2-o in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Taiwan would go on to score 4 times in the 3rd inning. Taiwan would score after Chung-Shou Yang and Chien-Ming Chang reached base to start the inning. Chih-Yao Chan drove in Taiwan's first run with a single. A balk by the Cuban pitcher would score Taiwan's second run. Finally, with Chan on base, Tai-Shan Chang came through with a huge hit - a 2-run bomb that would put Taiwan up 4-2. Cuba would score another run in the 6th, but the relief work of Sung-Wei Tseng and Po-Hsuan Keng was phenomenal as they limited the Cubans to 1 run on 4 hits over the last 6.1 innings. Starter Cheng-Lung Lo pitched 2.2 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits.
With the victory - combined with Australia's loss, Taiwan advances to the semifinals as the #4 seed. Taiwan will face Cuba again in the second semifinal on Saturday. The other 2 top seeds are #2 Japan and #3 the Netherlands. So far, it's been a great run for the NT - beating the Cuban NT is no small feat. This same Cuban team lost to Japan in the WBC finals and is loaded with star talent - including stud Yulieski Gourriel.
*Edited/Updated


Other News:
Chien-Ming Wang threw out the first pitch today prior to Taiwan's match versus Cuba. Wang was also the runner-up to Johan Santana in the AL Cy Young race. Despite a fabulous second season by Wang, Johan Santana deservedly won his second Cy Young award. Santana led the AL in almost all vital pitching categories. Congrats to Santana and Wang on tremendous seasons!

Reversal of Fortune!

A day after getting our hearts broken by the Japanese representatives, the LA New Bears and the NT both picked up victories today against very good opponents.

The Bears defeated the KBO champs - the Samsung Lions 3-2. Si-Yo Wu pitched well enough to keep things close. Wu pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 runs - via a 2 run shot in the 4th, to go along with 4 K's and 3 walks. Offensively, the big guns came through for the CPBL champs. Chin-Feng Chen was instrumental in the win as he had a huge 2 run single in the bottom of the 4th to tie things up. Chen was 2-3 on the day. Fellow NT member - Chih-Sheng Lin would then hit the game winning HR in the bottom of the 6th to complete the scoring. Lin was also 2-3. The Korean pitching staff only allowed 5 hits the entire game, so to say that Chen and Lin were clutch would be an understatement. Box Score
The Bears will now get their rematch against the NPB champs tomorrow. Who the Bears have left to start against the Fighters is anyone's guess - since the Bears top 2 starters Rayborn and Wu have both started recently. Hopefully, Chen and Lin can continue their slugging ways and make things interesting.


In Intercontinental Cup action, the Taiwanese NT defeated a young but talented Australian squad 4-2. Down 1-0 heading into the bottom of the 8th, Yung-Chi Chen and Yi-Chuan Lin came up with clutch hits in the 8th to drive in 4 runs between the two of them. The Australian squad would tack on another run in the 9th, but it was too little too late. Starting pitcher Sung-Wei Tseng threw a gutsy game, allowing 1 run on 4 hits through 7 innings - good enough to keep things close for the 8th inning rally. Box Score
Traditional rival South Korea will face off against our boys tomorrow.

NT 4-2 Win Over Italy....

Yang

In the third exhibition match for the NT in preparation for the Intercontinental Cup, the NT managed to defeat the Italian NT 4-2. Starting pitcher Sung-Wei Tseng pitched 5 scoreless innings, K'ing 4. The Italian NT scored both of their runs in the 9th inning off of NT reliever Yueh-Ping Lin. Lin, who was clocked ~ 89 to the low 90's, continues to struggle after failing to shut down the LA New Bears in his closer role during the CPBL Championships. Again, the offensive star for the NT was 19 year old Chung-Shou Yang who collected 2 hits and drove in 2 runs.

CPBL NEWS:Lin - MVP

En-Yu Lin, the CPBL triple crown winner (Wins/ERA/K's), was voted MVP of the CPBL. Lin, who will continue his career next year in Japan, beat out Chin-Feng Chen (finished 2nd in voting) and Tai-Shan Chang.

Chen - ROY

As expected, the CPBL ROY award went to Guan-Ren Chen of the Brother Elephants.

AFL

Hu was 0-3 in tonights 4-2 Mesa loss. Box
Hu's 4th journal entry is now up. Check it out.

HWB
Lo earned his second victoy in the HWBL yesterday. Lo easily has his best outing in Hawaii as he pitched 5 scoreless innings, giving up 4 hits to go along with 4 K's and 1 walk. Box

A Pair of Aces Up Their Sleeves....

S.W. Tseng
photo courtesy of goldpanners.com

C.C. Lee
photo courtesy of Angel Yu

Over in Cuba today, the Taiwanese NT beat the Czech NT 5-0 to run their record to 4-0 in the tourney. The Taiwanese University NT had a masterful showing from one of their young guns - Chen-Chang Lee. The 19 year old righty was dominant today as he threw 7 near-perfect innings in which he pitched a hitless shutout through 7 with 9 K's and only 1 walk. His reliever, C.W. Lin gave up the only hit of the game in the 9th inning to the Czech team. Lee, who was profiled in an earlier blog post, was cited by Cor as throwing 91 to 93 mph in Holland. The strength of this year's team lies in their pitching staff led by Sung-Wei Tseng. Neat coincidence how Lee and Tseng almost ended up together in the Cleveland organization. Box
Anyways, Taiwan will take on the US tomorrow to determine the seedings for the quarterfinals. Win or lose, Taiwan will play either the 3rd or 4th place team from the other bracket - which will be determined by tomorrow's games (most likely either the Bahamas - who beat Cuba in this tourney already, Italy, or Nicaragua).

MINORS:
AA - Hu was 1-4 with a double and a RBI as Jacksonville won 4-3. Box

A - Lansing won 3-0. Keng earned his 3rd save of the season with 2 scoreless innings in relief. He gave up 1 hit with 1 walk and 2 K's. Box

A - Wu was 0-4 with 2 K's as his team lost 13-4. He also committed his 3rd error of the season behind the plate. Box

R - Lin won his second game of the season for the Red Sox. Pitching in relief, Lin threw 3 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit, with 3 K's and 1 walk. Chiang DNP, while Huang's average plummets to .143 with an 0-3 night. Box

JAPAN:
Hanshin lost 10-6. Lin managed another hit (single) in a pinch hit appearance. Box

YOUTH:
Over in Japan, there is a tourney called the World Boys Baseball Tournament for boys aged 14-15 going on right now. Taiwan is participating and won their first game versus Alameda, USA 10-0. Taiwan will play a doubleheader tomorrow: first against Australia ABF then followed by Korea Tegu. If Taiwan finishes first in it's group, it will play in the semifinals on Saturday versus the winner of Group A: Fresno, USA/China/Japan/Mexico Rojo.

Native American Apparel......

S.W. Tseng(L) C.E. Hong(R)

Well, here's our first good look at Hong (pictured along with Tseng), the recent signee for the Braves. The photos were taken during an official joint press announcement about their signings with ML clubs. Man, the Indians and Braves official color and mascot are just too eerily similar.

CT Loses 1-0 to USA....

In Game 1 of of a seven game series, Chinese Taipei lost a close game 1-0 to the US NT. The US rallied with some timely hitting in the bottom of the 9th inning off of relief pitching to secure the first win of the series. The starting pitcher for CT was Sung-Wei Tseng, the ace of the staff and recent Indians signee. Tseng pitched 5 scoreless innings, giving up only 2 hits, to go along with 4 K's and 0 walks. Tseng was locked in a fierce duel with US pitcher David Price, who was equally dominant, K'ing 10 in 7 scoreless innings. Aside from Tseng, the only other bright spot for CT was LF Chun-Yu Kuo's 2-3 performance at the plate. Taiwan's offense managed only one other hit the entire game off of US pitching.

Game Recap
Box Score

Game 2 of the series is Thursday night in South Carolina.

Breaking News: Sung-Wei Tseng Signs with Indians!

photos from goldpanners.com

The Cleveland Indians have signed 21 year old Taiwanese pitcher Sung-Wei Tseng. He will receive an estimated signing bonus of $375,000. Tseng, who's fastball has been clocked in the low to mid 90's, is currently on the NT touring the US right now. Tseng was being courted by teams in Japan, but will now get his chance to show his wares in the US.

Pipeline to Alaska....

P Sung-Wei Tseng and IF Sheng-Wei Wang got a good jump start here. Both players participated last year in the Alaska Baseball League with the Anchorage Bucs. In fact, you could say that Tseng used his time spent in Alaska (he was All-ABL in 2005) to help springboard himself to the top of the amateur list in Taiwan. Following in their footsteps are two young Taiwanese pitchers:
Po-Yu Lin: RHP 6'1" 215 pounds 19 years old - DOB:9/16/86
& Cheng-Luong Luo: LHP 5'11" 170 pounds 19 years old - DOB:3/7/87

Lin was the ace of the 2004 junior NT. At the time he was clocked at a high of 92 mph. He went 1-1 in the tourney with his loss coming to the US 2-1. Check the rest of his stats from 2004 here.

Luo was one of the better pitchers on the 2005 junior NT. He had an outstanding performance in Taiwan's 2006 spring amateur tourney.

The 2006 Bucs played on Saturday, and Po-Yu Lin was dominant, going 5 innings, giving up 1 earned run, and K'ing 9. He earned his first win of the season.

Luo pitched 1 inning on Friday in a relief role and gave up 2 hits, 1 run, and 2 walks, with 0 K's.


Four other collegiate Taiwanese players will be joining the Alaska GoldPanners, also in the Alaska Baseball League.
The 4 players are:
1)RHP Chia-Yi Mia
2)RHP Chen-Hsien Wu
3)SS Shao-Bai Lan
4)OF Yuan-Chin Chu

CAL LEAGUE NEWS:
Yung-Chi Chen was selected to the Cal-league All Star team and will represent IE at 2B. *UPDATED and EDITED