Team USA took first place in pool A with a victory in a slugfest with World Cup of Baseball host Chinese Taipei. They tallied out ten extra-base hits on their way to a 10-7 win.
After Taiwan had tied the game in the bottom of the sixth through a bases clearing double by Chia-Hsien HSIEH (4 RBI), the Americans regained the lead in the top of the seventh. Justin RUGGIANO (3-4, BB, 5 RBI) hit a three-run-homerun over the wall in right center field. He added another opposite field blast in the ninth for the tenth run. Chinese Taipei rallied in the bottom of the ninth against closer Chris BOOKER. They loaded the bases through three consecutive singles and scored a run on a sacrifice fly by Chao-Hang CHENG. But BOOKER found his rhythm and finished the job.
Jayson NIX hit a solo-homerun and scored twice. Andy LAROCHE had a RBI-double. Colby RASMUS reached four times (2 BB, 2 doubles). Evan LONGORIA got three hits and scored two runs. Delwyn YOUNG added two doubles.
Chin-Feng CHEN had two hits and a RBI.
Josh OUTMAN pitched five innings. He allowed three runs (2 ER) on three hits. He struck out eight. He touched 94 MPH on the gun several times. Besides that he was consistent in the low 90s. Lee GRONKIEWICZ received the win.
Ying-Chieh LIN was charged with five hits, three runs and a walk in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out four. Yu-Chieh SHEN took the loss.
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