CAN 020 011 001 1 6 16 2 TAI 200 003 000 0 5 10 1
In the most exiting and dramatic match of the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament so far, Canada defeated Chinese Taipei 6-5. They tied the game in the ninth and scored the winning run in the tenth. Both are now 3-1 and right behind South Korea (4-0).
It was a memorable performance of both squads. Taiwan overcame a 2-4 deficit in the sixth and took a 5-4 lead thanks to a three-run-homerun by Kuo-Hui LO.
Canada threatened to tie the game in the eighth. Baserunner Jimmy VAN OSTRAND (3-5) tried to score of second and run over catcher Chun-Chang YEH. He held on to the ball, but flipped it back to VAN OSTRAND, who turned around to confront YEH. The benches cleared and the sell-out crowd threw debris onto the field. The police had to come in to control the scene. After a delay of several minutes the game was continued.
Chinese Taipei took the advantage into the ninth. But former major leaguer Stubby CLAPP reached base with a headfirst dive with two outs. He came around and scored on a RBI-single by Mike SAUNDERS to force extra-innings.
Matt ROGELSTAD led off the tenth with a single and scored the go-ahead run on VAN OSTRAND’s RBI-double. Chinese Taipei didn’t go down without a fight. They started a comeback in the bottom of the tenth. They had runners on first and second with one out, but Yi Chuan LIN grounded into a game-ending double play.
Ryan RADMANOVICH had two RBI. CLAPP scored twice.
Steve GREEN received the win, Mike KUSIEWICZ the save. Chien-Min CHIANG (1-1) took the loss.
After the off day on Tuesday, Canada faces Spain on Wednesday afternoon. Taiwan meets with Australia in the night session.
Photo: © International Baseball Federation (www.ibaf.tv)