BUNKYO CITY, Tokyo - In a game when the legendary Ichiro Suzuki was present, Japan secured a 9-6 win against Chinese Taipei, marking their 27th consecutive victory in international competitions. This took place on the final day of the Super Round of the WBSC Premier12, presented by RAXUS, at the Tokyo Dome in Bunkyō City, Tokyo, on Saturday night.
In a sold-out match, Japan once more triumphed over Chinese Taipei, progressing as the sole undefeated team to the tournament final, aiming to reclaim the title they secured in 2019. This marks the Japanese team's second consecutive final, achieved impressively by averaging nine runs per game during the tournament's final stage, ensuring their status as the world's best team, regardless of Sunday's outcome.
The final perfectly mirrored the WBSC world rankings, as Chinese Taipei, once considered a surprise, proved its standing as the world's second-ranked team by reaching its first Premier12 final.
It is also the top performance by a senior team from Taipei in international baseball since reaching the final of the 1992 Olympic Games baseball tournament in Barcelona, Spain.
The Taipei team astonished everyone by opting not to start with their star left-hander Lin Yu-min, who was due to pitch according to the rules and had been announced. Instead, they replaced him with right-hander Chen Po-ching. This unforeseen change led to a protest from the Japanese team, resulting in a $3000 fine for the Taipei team at the game's conclusion.
During the press conference, the Taiwanese team's manager, Hao-Jiu Tseng, justified his decision by stating, "Our aim is to enter tomorrow's game in optimal condition. This is why we opted for the change."
The pitching change was immediately evident when Japan assembled a four-run rally in the bottom of the first inning against an anxious Chen. Murabayashi Itsuki initiated it all with a solo home run on just the third pitch he faced.
A walk to Toshiya Sato, a hit by pitch to Ryosuke Tatsumi, and an RBI double from Shota Morishita brought in three runs. A sacrifice fly by Kotaro Kurebayashi secured the 4-0 lead, leading to Chen's exit from the game.
Taipei faced left-handed starter Takahisa Hayakawa and managed to score their first run in the top of the third inning. Lin Li got on base with a walk, followed by Tseng Song-en hitting an RBI double to left field.
Two innings later, Taipei narrowed the gap to one and nearly took the lead. Hayakawa's consecutive walks at the start of the inning and a single by Lin Li made it 4-2. Two additional walks pushed the score to 4-3, leaving the bases loaded with no outs. Japan decided to use their bullpen, and the choice was effective when right-hander Tatsuya Shimizu induced first baseman Chieh-Kai Pan to ground out back to him. Shimizu forced the third base runner at home, and the catcher finished the double play with Pan at first base. Shortly after, Shimizu concluded his remarkable performance by striking out Kun-Yu Chiang.
As it has consistently done throughout the tournament, Japan effectively countered its opponents' attempts at a comeback. In the bottom of the inning, with the bases loaded against right-handed reliever Chun-Lin Kuo, third baseman Kotaro Kiyomiya hit a triple to center field, clearing the bases and increasing Samurai Japan's lead to 7-3.
"It was a tough game, but the four runs in the first inning were crucial," Japan's manager Hirokazu Ibata commented during the press conference. "Even though they caught us during the game, we were able to regain the lead and walk comfortably from that point on."
In the sixth inning, Taipei once more reduced the deficit to two, as a single followed by consecutive doubles from Cheng-Yu Chang and Chih-Cheng Chiu brought the score to 7-5.
Nevertheless, Japan once more prevented any opportunity for a comeback, as in the bottom of the sixth, two singles and a double by Ryosuke Tatsumi restored their four-run lead, making it 9-5.
In the ninth inning, An-Ko Lin contributed the visitors' last run by hitting a home run to right field off closer Rikuto Yokoyama, setting the final score at 9-6.
Although they lost, the Taipei coach chose not to emphasize it, understanding that the true challenge lies ahead this Sunday. "Tonight was fantastic," stated Hao-Jiu Tseng. "I sincerely thank our fans and the Japanese fans for creating such a positive atmosphere."
And he was absolutely right, the atmosphere this Saturday at the Tokyo Dome was on another level, but it could get better, when both teams dispute the title of the tournament this Sunday at 7:00 p.m. (local time), 5:00 a.m. (Cuba and Eastern US time).
For Japan, reaching the final appears routine, whereas for Chinese Taipei, it's a historic moment, marking their first international final in 32 years. The two teams recently faced off in the final of a regional event less than a year ago, when Japan secured a 1-0 victory over Chinese Taipei in the Asian Championship final on December 10, 2023.
CHINESE TAIPEI - JAPAN - Highlights
USA 6, Venezuela 5
In the first game of the day, which ended up defining the advance of Chinese Taipei to the final, Team USA defeated Venezuela 6-5, recording its first victory of the Super Round in a hard-fought match.
It was a game where the Venezuelans made a tremendous comeback after being down 5-0 in the sixth inning.
The Americans scored five runs against Venezuela, with two runs off starter Jesús Vargas and another three against the second reliever, Anthony Vizcaya, establishing an early 5-0 lead after five and a half innings.
However, following the exit of American starter Touki Toussaint, who pitched four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out four, and the first reliever, Antonio Menéndez, Venezuela gradually chipped away at the lead with a run in the sixth and another in the seventh innings. Then, in the eighth inning, pinch hitter Diego Castillo tied the game with a three-run homer, igniting excitement on the Venezuelan bench.
"I had been looking forward to that at-bat. I couldn't wait to get my chance in this game. When I walked up to the plate, I was looking for a good pitch to hit," Castillo said at the postgame press conference.
But the joy was short-lived. In the top of the ninth inning, designated hitter Ryan Ward decided the game, hitting a solo shot off Venezuelan closer Enderson Franco.
"He threw me a changeup first," Ward said after the game. "I got a good look at it and sat on that pitch. I had already missed one, but I managed to hit the next one that was in the zone. It was the greatest moment of my life and I was able to share it with my teammates. Running around the bases was incredible."
History could repeat itself again, when both teams battle with greater intensity for third place in this Premier12, starting on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. (local time), 10:00 p.m. (Cuba and Eastern US time).
Team USA aims to return to the winners' podium in these tournaments following its second-place finish in the 2015 inaugural edition. Meanwhile, Venezuela looks to enhance its already solid fourth-place standing, having previously finished seventh in 2019 and tenth in 2015.
USA - VENEZUELA - Highlights
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