Lin An-ke Gets First Hit in NPB in Two Months, Contributes 1 RBI with Two Hits

(CNA, Reporter Hsieh Ching-wen, New Taipei, July 7) Lin An-ke, an outfielder for the NPB's Saitama Seibu Lions, returned to the first team at the end of June. He started today's game, hitting two singles and driving in the team's first run. This marks his first hit in the first team in approximately two months. The Lions defeated the Rakuten Eagles 6-1.

Lin An-ke returned to the first team on June 30th. In his first start, he struck out twice in four at-bats. On July 2nd, he started again and had no hits in three at-bats, also striking out twice. Before today's game, he had not recorded a hit in seven at-bats since returning to the first team.

The Seibu Lions played the Rakuten Eagles today at Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha. Lin An-ke was in the starting lineup as the No. 7 hitter and designated hitter for the Lions. In the bottom of the second inning, he faced Rakuten's starting pitcher Kosei Shoji and struck out in his first at-bat.

Neither team scored in the first three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Seibu's Kasei Ishii led off with a double. After one out, Lin An-ke hit a single to right field, giving his team the lead and his first hit since returning to the first team.

The Lions extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth with two outs. Following a walk and a hit, Ishii hit a three-run homer, increasing the team's lead. The Eagles scored one run in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by Yoshiaki Watanabe.

Lin An-ke hit a pop fly over the shortstop for an out in the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the eighth, Seibu's Alexander Canario led off with a single. Lin An-ke followed with a single to center field to extend the rally. He was replaced by a pinch runner after reaching base. With two outs, the Lions scored two runs on a two-run double by Nao Takizawa, aided by a hit-by-pitch.

Lin An-ke's last hit in the first team was on May 10th. He recorded a hit in the first team today after approximately two months. He had two hits in four at-bats today and contributed one RBI. His batting average is now .198.

Seibu's starting pitcher Kaima Taira, a native of Okinawa, threw 102 pitches over five innings today, allowing only four hits, striking out seven, and walking three. He did not allow any runs and earned the win. He is the first Okinawa-born pitcher to win a game in an official NPB regular season game held in Okinawa. (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 0707

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