Asia Series: Uni Lions vs. China Stars

Taiwan's Uni Lions wouldn't go down easily, though. In the top of the seventh they put up one run on 3 hits, including an RBI double to the left field corner by KC Kao.

PZ Xu had taken over on the mound for the China Stars this inning, the third pitcher for the Stars this afternoon. After walking the bases loaded with one out, designated hitter LH Chen hits a grand slam to left to turn this game around. The Uni Lions take a 6-4 lead in the 7th.

S Yang follows with a solo home run to right, and it looks like PZ Xu is through. P Wang comes in to pitch in the top of the seventh with one out.

I was really pulling for the first China win. But down 7-4 in the 7th, things don't look so good for the budding league's all stars right now.

Yang threw 2+ really good innings, just allowing one hit. But come the top of the ninth, the China Stars called on L Yu to pitch. He gave up a lead off double to FH Liu followed by a 2-run home run to left by LH Chen. The Uni Lions take a 9-4 lead with nobody out in the 9th.

Things don't look good for the China Stars this afternoon.

Well, L. Yu only managed to get one out in the top of the ninth. With runners at first and second an one out, the China Stars bring in Y. Guo. Maybe he can get something done.

Despite losing after an early lead, things are looking up for the China Stars. The 5 runs are a record for the team in the Konami Cup if I recall correctly.

Yes I know, the final result is still a loss, but there has been progress for sure. They finished 3-5 in the 2005 Baseball World Cup, played in the Arizona Fall League this year (even though that was a major disappointment based on standings, it's a start).

After years of baseball being abolished during the Cultural Revolution in China, we can't expect baseball to evolve overnight in China, but it is making great baby steps. Hopefully these improvements will continue.

YC Tseng comes in to close out the bottom of the ninth for the Uni Lions. Up by a score of 9-4. The two teams are even with 14 hits apiece.

Tseng strikes out Y. Jia and Yuf. Zhang for a nice start.

Right fielder F. Feng comes up. Fouls the first pitch back. He then takes the next pitch high and tight. Tseng's third offering is taken up high. 1 strike, two balls. The fourth pitch is fouled off and out of play back behind the first base dugout. 2 and 2. The fifth pitch misses high and away, full count.

Now, the shoubu pitch is lined past a diving T.S. Wang at short and into left field, base hit. China goes up on hits 15-14. But still trail by 4 runs.

Up comes W. Sun. He fouls the first two pitchs off to the left side. The third pitch is fouled off about 6 rows of seats in front of me. It was grabbed by a businessman who came in carrying three extra suits. Ball one is taken outside, and the first base umpire says Sun didn't swing. Then Sun strokes the next offering into left-center field for a base hit. Feng scores easily from second, and the China Stars aren't done yet. They now trail 5-9.

That brings up second baseman G. Liu. He's quickly in the hole 2 strikes and a ball. Fourth offering misses up and away, 2 and 2. Tseng's fifth offering is in the dirt outside, full count.

Shoubu pitch to Liu is taken outside, ball four. Runners now at first and second with two outs.

That prompts the Lions' pitching coach to go out to the mound.

That brings in pinch hitter L. Li. Li gets in the hold 2 strikes and a ball. The fourth offering is swung on and missed, strike three. That's the ball game.

The final for game 1:

9 runs, 14 hits, 0 errors for the Uni Lions.
5 runs, 16 hits, 0 errors for the China Stars.