Germany lost 3-0 (box) to Chinese Taipei on Saturday, its second shutout defeat in as many games at the U23 World Championship in Chinese Taipei, with rain resulting in the Netherlands-Puerto Rico contest, like all other action in Group B, being postponed.
Following a 6-0 defeat to top-ranked Japan in the opening game of the tournament yesterday, the German batters again struggled, managing just two hits against the host’s strong pitching. In front of roughly 500 fans in Taichung City, outfielders David Dinski and Paul Wittmann each contributed a single, with Simon Bäumer twice reaching base on a free pass.
Following a 1-2-3 first inning, Germany began the second with Lou Helmig walking and subsequently advancing to second on Dinski’s single, but Chinese Taipei starter Yan Fong Lai struck out the next three batters to end the threat, and Germany would not advance a runner to second base until the seventh and final inning.
Lai allowed just one hit while striking out seven batters in 3.1 innings, with reliever Chi-Ling Hsu (3.2 IP, 1H, 1K) equally effective in silencing the German lineup.
South Africa is on the schedule for Germany on Sunday, with the Dutch, who fell to South Korea 4-0 in their first action in the tournament, scheduled to take on Mexico.
For complete standings, statistics, and links to live streams, visit the WBSC U23 World Cup website.