Chinese Taipei secured a 14-0 victory over Czechia in a seven-inning mercy rule decision at Tokyo Dome. The win marked Chinese Taipei’s first in the World Baseball Classic. The fans were cheering and stomping, with horns blaring and drums pounding.
Bunting Strategy Pays Off Early
Chinese Taipei initiated their scoring in the first inning, capitalising on two bunt singles. Stuart Fairchild executed one of these bunt singles. A double steal, compounded by a throwing error, further advanced their position. Yu Chang then drove in a run with a single, giving Chinese Taipei an early 2-0 lead.
The approach was a deliberate effort to ignite the team’s offense. Manager Hao-Jiu Tseng said that in the previous two games, their offense was kind of struggling. So before the game started, they thought they should go back to the fundamentals, and Tseng asked all the players what the best approach to do was, and that’s the result.
Czechia’s Chadim acknowledged the strategy. Chadim said it’s not a bad feeling if the defending Premier12 world champion bunts with their No. 3 hitter, and want to score a run in the first inning because they’re afraid, but only in the first inning.
Fairchild Moves on After Near Homer
In the subsequent inning, Fairchild found himself at the plate with the bases loaded. Fairchild said that after yesterday when he thought he hit the homer, he was thinking about it a lot. And today, he just tried to flush it and realise it’s a new day. Not dwell on the past and show up today to help the team win. That was his priority. It was to not think about himself but rather the team and do what he can today to help the team win.
Fairchild also noted the quick turnaround between games. Fairchild joked that he felt a little tired to be honest, quick turnaround from the late game yesterday to an early one today. But he got as much sleep as he could and drank a bunch of coffee, so they were ready to go.
Chang’s Contribution
Chang contributed three hits and four RBIs. From there, Chinese Taipei put the game away.
- Chinese Taipei defeated Czechia 14-0.
- Stuart Fairchild had a bunt single.
- Yu Chang had three hits and four RBIs.
The game was essentially a relegation contest with the loser likely having to play in a Qualifier before the next tournament.