TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan opened its World Baseball Classic campaign with a 3-0 loss to Australia at the Tokyo Dome on Thursday as the team struggled offensively against an all-left-handed pitching lineup, per CNA.
Taiwan’s batters appeared overwhelmed for most of the game and failed to mount a serious offensive threat until the ninth inning. Australia, by contrast, showed patience at the plate and capitalized on limited opportunities. Robbie Perkins and Travis Bazzana each circled the bases on home runs that gave Australia a comfortable lead.
Taiwanese fans packed the Tokyo Dome for the opening of Group C play, waving national flags and cheering throughout the game. A group of Taiwanese cheerleaders led familiar chants, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a home game in Taiwan.
Taiwan started the match with hard-throwing pitcher Hsu Jo-hsi (徐若熙), who delivered four strong innings. He allowed only two hits, struck out three batters, and did not surrender a run.
In the fifth inning, reliever Chen Po-yu (陳柏毓) allowed a two-run home run to Perkins, giving Australia the first runs of the game. Chen managed to escape the inning without further damage.
Taiwan turned to Sun Yi-lei (孫易磊) in the sixth inning, but after recording two outs, he issued a walk, allowed a single, and then another walk, prompting another pitching change. Reliever Chang Yi (張奕) entered with the bases loaded and quickly induced an infield flyout on two pitches to end the threat.
Chang returned for the seventh inning but, after recording one out, left a pitch over the plate that Bazzana drove deep for a solo home run. Taiwan later called on Lin Shih-hsiang (林詩翔) in the eighth inning, and he finished the game without allowing any additional runs.
Australia’s pitching staff kept Taiwan off balance throughout the game. Starting pitcher Alex Wells threw three innings, followed by three innings from Jack O'Loughlin and relief work from Jon Kennedy.
Taiwan finally threatened in the ninth inning when Yu Chang (張育成) reached base on an infield grounder and a throwing error. Giljegiljaw Kungkuan (吉力吉撈) followed with a single, putting Chang in scoring position.
The rally ended quickly. Lyle Lin (林家正) soon hit a fly ball easily caught by the center fielder, and pinch-hitter Chang Cheng-yu (張政禹) grounded out to the pitcher.
Taiwan will face a major challenge in its next game against host nation Japan on Friday, followed by matchups with Czechia and South Korea later in the preliminary round
