All responsibility is mine. Please do not blame the players.
Taiwan, which seemed poised to soar after winning the 2024 Premier12, has shrunk again on the World Baseball Classic (WBC) stage. Taiwan suffered a 0-13, seven-inning mercy-rule loss to Japan in Group C of the WBC first round at Tokyo Dome on the 6th. With this, Taiwan already has two losses and faces the threat of elimination.
In the first game against Australia, Taiwan was struck by two home runs and lost 0-3. Even with ace Xu Ruoxi on the mound, Taiwan faced an even more shocking defeat against Japan. There had been at least a sliver of hope, but Japan mercilessly pummeled Taiwan's pitching. Above all, it was painful that the lineup, which was expected to wield powerful bats, was silent. In two games they managed only four singles and finished scoreless. The fall of the world champion has plunged Taiwan into a maelstrom of shock.
The manager was at a loss for words from frustration. Taiwan manager Zheng Haojiu, at times in the dugout, had tears in his eyes and was emotionally shaken. After the game, Zheng Haojiu entered the official press conference room with an expression as if he might cry at any moment, reflecting his devastated feelings. After the game, Zheng Haojiu looked back on the game, saying, "The scoreless result is so regrettable. The players went to the plate doing their best. Their batting form hasn't come around, so as the manager I worried about how to find a rhythm. The players tried to get hits until the end, but in decisive situations no big hit came."
Regarding the devastating mercy-rule loss, he said, "No manager would want to see their team lose by such a margin in an international tournament. But the manager is the one who must be responsible for wins and losses in the front row," and added, "The players gave everything. There is no reason to blame the players. I ask the public to send warm encouragement to the players. All responsibility for the game's loss rests entirely with me."
Now Taiwan must practically hope for a miracle. With two losses, they must win the remaining games against the Czech Republic and Korea and then hope Australia and Korea finish with 2-2 records. If two teams tie in the group round, the head-to-head result determines the higher-ranked team. If three or more teams are tied, head-to-head is also considered, but if the top team still cannot be determined, rankings are decided by the lowest runs allowed per out recorded among the tied teams, and then by the lowest earned run average.
Taiwan now has to win against the Czech Republic and Korea and wait for other teams' results. In particular, Taiwan's final game is against Korea. Taiwan has no choice but to stake everything against Korea.
For the Czech game on the 7th, Taiwan named Zhuang Chenzhong'ao, who plays in the Oakland Athletics minor leagues, as the starter. As the Czech team is the weakest, it is important for Taiwan to conserve pitchers and secure the game. They are likely to deploy all pitchers in a full-scale effort for the Korea game.
Currently Taiwan still has Gu Lin Ruiyang, who won the 2024 Taiwan professional baseball MVP and is active with the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Nippon Professional Baseball, and left-hander Lin Yumin, who had repeatedly troubled Korea in recent international tournaments. Both are likely to be used against Korea. In addition, power-relief pitchers Lin Kaiwei, Lin Weiyan, Sun Yilei, Zhang Yi and Zheng Zhengyue are all on standby regardless of throwing hand.
Taiwan now has no choice but to put everything on the line for the Korea game on the 8th. How will Taiwan's all-out effort affect Korea? Korea will also play Japan on the 7th and inevitably have to stake everything on the 8th against Taiwan. How should Korea respond to Taiwan's all-in approach?
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