Team Taiwan secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic in a tightly contested game at the 2024 WBSC Premier12 on Thursday night at the Taipei Dome. With the win, Taiwan remains undefeated in the Group B standings, improving their record to 2-0. The match featured an exciting pitching duel and late-game drama, showcasing Taiwan’s resilience and teamwork.
Pitching Mastery: Huang Dominates the Mound
The game was a pitcher’s duel from start to finish, as Taiwan’s Huang Tzu-peng (黃子鵬) went head-to-head with the Dominican Republic’s Pedro Fernandez. Huang, a key pitcher for Taiwan’s Rakuten Monkeys in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), delivered a spectacular performance, throwing six scoreless innings, striking out four batters, and allowing no hits and just one walk.
On the other side, Fernandez was also impressive, matching Huang’s performance with six strong innings, but he allowed a solo home run to Chiang Kun-yu (江坤宇) in the third inning, which proved to be a key turning point in the game.
Offensive Efforts: Taiwan Grinds Out the Win
Taiwan’s offense was able to capitalize on Dominican Republic’s mistakes. After Chiang’s solo homerun, Taiwan extended its lead in the eighth inning. A series of defensive errors by the Dominican team allowed Lin Li (林立) to drive in a run with a sacrifice fly, putting Taiwan up 2-0.
The Dominican Republic mounted a late rally in the ninth inning, with Andretty Cordero securing their first hit of the game—a single to right field. The Dominican team was able to score one run, but Taiwan’s closer Wu Chun-wei (吳俊偉) stood firm, striking out Frank Rodriguez to end the game with a 2-1 win and strand the tying run on third base.
Manager Praise: Teamwork and Poise Under Pressure
After the game, Taiwan’s manager Tseng Hao-ju (曾豪駒) commended his players for staying calm under pressure in what was an intense, high-stakes matchup. He specifically praised Huang for his “perfect outing” and the collective effort of Taiwan’s four relief pitchers who combined to secure the victory.
Huang Tzu-peng also expressed gratitude for the trust his manager placed in him, especially after he was forced to leave the game in the seventh inning due to a muscle cramp. He acknowledged the crucial roles of his teammates in both the offense and defense, which contributed to the victory.
Dominican Republic’s Response: A Tough Loss
On the Dominican Republic side, manager César Martin also recognized the high level of competition, particularly the pitching performances of both teams. While Fernandez allowed the critical homerun to Chiang, Martin noted that he had otherwise delivered an excellent outing. The Dominican team, though disappointed, will look to bounce back in their next matchup.
Next Up: Taiwan Faces Defending Champions Japan
With the win, Taiwan is now looking ahead to their next game against the defending champions, Japan, set for Saturday at the Taipei Dome. The matchup is expected to be another thrilling contest, with both teams vying for a spot in the Super Round of the competition.
In other Group B action, South Korea defeated Cuba 8-4 at Tianmu Stadium.
2024 WBSC Premier12 Tournament Format
The 2024 WBSC Premier12 is the third edition of the prestigious international baseball tournament, featuring the top 12 national teams in the world. The event serves as a qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Round, which will be held in Japan. The finalists will then face off for the gold medal, with the third and fourth-place teams competing for the bronze.
Table: Key Game Stats
| Statistic | Team Taiwan | Dominican Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 2-1 | 1 |
| Winning Pitcher | Huang Tzu-peng | |
| Losing Pitcher | Pedro Fernandez | |
| Home Run Scorer | Chiang Kun-yu | |
| Key Player | Huang Tzu-peng | Pedro Fernandez |
| Team Taiwan’s Next Match | vs Japan (Saturday) |
FAQs:
1. How did Taiwan win the game against the Dominican Republic?
Taiwan won the game 2-1, thanks to a solo home run by Chiang Kun-yu in the third inning and a sacrifice fly by Lin Li in the eighth inning. Despite a late rally from the Dominican Republic, Taiwan’s pitcher Wu Chun-wei closed out the game.
2. What was the standout performance in this game?
The standout performance was from Taiwan’s starting pitcher Huang Tzu-peng, who threw six scoreless innings, striking out four and allowing no hits. His performance was critical in keeping the Dominican offense at bay.
3. Who did Taiwan play next in the Premier12?
Taiwan’s next game is against Japan, the defending Premier12 champions, on Saturday at the Taipei Dome.
4. What is the format of the 2024 WBSC Premier12?
The 2024 WBSC Premier12 features 12 teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Round in Japan, with the gold and bronze medal games to follow.
5. How did the Dominican Republic perform in the game?
The Dominican Republic’s Pedro Fernandez pitched well, but gave up a solo home run to Chiang Kun-yu. Despite their rally in the ninth inning, they fell short and lost the game 2-1.
