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TWO FOR THE SHOW
kjacobsen@observer-reporter.com
Taichung City faced several odd circumstances in its must-win game against Gurabo, Puerto Rico, in the Pony World Series.
The Chinese Taipei team, through four and a half innings, had allowed just one base hit out of the infield and starting pitcher Chiang Lee Wei struck out nine batters. Taichung City hadn't committed an error.
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Adding to Chinese Taipei's misfortune, Gurabo successfully executed the hidden-ball trick in the bottom of the fifth.
Instead of losing their composure, the Chinese Taipei players rallied to come away with a 5-4 victory Friday at Lew Hays Pony Field to advance to today's championship game.
Taichung City plays Long Beach, Calif. at 1 p.m. The game will be televised by FSN.
"We focused," said Chinese Taipei manager Chiang Chung Huar. "We hope we can have a very good result (today)."
In the fifth, Huang Hou Chi was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch, representing the tying run. Gurabo pitcher Jose Osorio faked a pickoff throw to second, and both middle infielders - Vimael Machin and Christian E. Rivera - reacted as if the ball went into center field.
Even center fielder Daniel Flores raced into right-center as if to pick up the loose ball.
Huang ran towards third base, but Osorio was waiting in the basepath and tagged Huang out.
Hsu Hao Feng and Liu Chia Kai reached on singles after the play. With two outs, Chu Li Jen - who homered in the fourth to cut Gurabo's lead to 4-3 - singled to left. Chiang Chung Huar waved Hsu, who slid under the tag of catcher Jose Ortiz despite a strong throw from Edgardo Rivera.
"There were two outs," said Chiang Chung Huar. "We had a 70 percent chance of scoring."
Chinese Taipei went ahead 5-4 when Chiang Lee Wei hit a groundball to shortstop Machin, who booted the ball, allowing Liu to score.
Chiang Lee Wei finished with 14 strikeouts, including eight of the last nine outs. He walked five but allowed just two hits after the third. Since he went the distance, he will not be available to pitch today.
"We had to use our ace," Chiang Chung Huar said.
Chiu Chun Chang will likely start against Long Beach, but Chiang Chung Huar is prepared to use any pitcher necessary.
Taichung City's comeback was its second of the game. After conceding two first-inning runs - on a double steal and a groundout - Chinese Taipei scored once in the first, on a single by Chu, and a sacrifice fly in the second. Richard Gonzalez's two-run homer put Gurabo back in front in the third.
While Taichung City cannot use its ace, Long Beach can and will.
Chase DeJong, who threw a complete game in the opener and closed out Thursday's victory, will be on the hill as Long Beach chases the championship that eluded it last year.
"If we'd lost Thursday, Chase would've started (Friday)," said manager Ken Jakemer. "This year we have our ace ready. Last year we did not. I'm happy not to face Chiang. He pitched as well as any pitcher in the tournament. But their second and third pitchers are also very good."
Long Beach is in the final for the second straight year, though there are no players from last year's team. The coaching staff is the same, with a switch. Jakemer was the assistant last year while Rick Romo managed. Their positions are reversed this time.
"Other than our titles, nothing's changed," Jakemer said. "The overall look and feel of the team is due to Rick. My other assistant, Victor Merrill, has amazing insight. I see him coaching for many years."
Most World Series games this year have been lopsided, but Long Beach was involved with two close ones with Tamiami, Fla. That can only help in the final.
"We had to be playing at the top level to win those games," said Jakemer. "It kept us focused."
The championship should be a friendly affair. The Taichung City and Long Beach players spent a lot of their free time together during the past week.
"From the day we arrived, there's been a bonding relationship," said Jakemer. "They don't speak English but speak the same language of youth... wiffle ball in the park, video games in the hotel. Both are enjoying the experience."
championship game pony world series : 8/23/2008
was there an article about long beach, ca. and taipei, china 8-16-08 printed for sunday paper
