Taiwan's Batting Struggles Lead to Second Consecutive Loss Against Korea in Four Nations Elite Baseball Series

(CNA reporter Hsieh Ching-wen, Taipei, 13th) In the Four Nations Elite Baseball Series, Taiwan faced Korea today in a match plagued by continuous rain. Taiwan committed three pickoff errors, and the offense was stifled, managing only two hits overall. The game was called due to rain, resulting in a 0-6 loss to Korea and Taiwan's second consecutive defeat.

In the 2026 Four Nations Elite Baseball Series, Taiwan lost to the U.S. NCAA All-Stars yesterday and faced Korea today. They started pitcher Chen Zhao-Yi-Xun, who was selected in the first round of this year's CPBL draft by the Rakuten Monkeys.

Chen Zhao-Yi-Xun struggled from the start. In the bottom of the first inning, the leadoff batter hit a single, advanced via sacrifice bunt, and reached third on a wild pitch. He then allowed a single to Kang Minwoo (Kang Minwoo), giving up the first run, followed by two more hits that brought in additional runs. A pickoff error allowed Korea to score two more runs in quick succession.

Chen Zhao-Yi-Xun ran into trouble again in the bottom of the third inning, walking a batter and allowing an error by the catcher. With one out, Kim Gyeonghwan (Kim Gyeonghwan) hit a double, bringing in another run. Chen failed to complete the third inning and was replaced by Li Song-Rui, who walked a batter but quickly stabilized, recording two outs without further damage.

Li Song-Rui continued pitching in the bottom of the fourth inning. After one out, he issued a walk, and the runner advanced to third via two consecutive stolen bases. With two outs, he walked another batter, and a pickoff error allowed Korea to score one more run. In the bottom of the fifth inning, after two outs, he walked a batter and gave up a hit before being pulled from the game.

Taiwan brought in reliever Guo Zi-Quan, but worsening rain affected his control. A pickoff error immediately cost two more runs, followed by three consecutive walks and multiple wild pitches that allowed additional runs. The game was temporarily suspended due to heavy rain. After the top of the fifth inning, due to excessive rainfall and unsafe field conditions, the technical committee ruled in favor of Korea, awarding them a 6-0 victory.

Chen Zhao-Yi-Xun threw 54 pitches over 2.1 innings, allowing six hits, two walks, recording two strikeouts, and giving up five runs, taking the loss.

Taiwan's offense against Korea's starting pitcher Kim Daun (Kim Daun) was largely silent. Through the first four innings, only Tsai Sheng-Chieh recorded a hit in the top of the second. In the top of the fifth, a walk and a single by Chang Yi-Teng advanced runners, but Taiwan failed to deliver a timely hit and could not score. The offense remained ineffective, leading to the defeat. (Edited by Li Shu-Hua) 1150713