Japan Powers Past Taiwan with 3 Home Runs in Four-Nation Baseball Championship

(Taipei, April 14, reporter Hsieh Ching-wen) In the Four-Nation Elite Baseball Championship, Taiwan faced Japan today. Japan recorded 15 hits, including three home runs, and defeated Taiwan 12-1 in seven innings. Japan will face the United States for the championship tomorrow, while Taiwan will play South Korea in the bronze medal game.

In the 2026 Four-Nation Elite Baseball Championship, Taiwan lost their opening match to the USA NCAA All-Stars. Yesterday, their offense was stifled by South Korea, and the game was called after the top of the fifth inning due to rain.

Today, Taiwan continued their campaign at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium against Japan, starting pitcher Huang Chieh-han, selected in the fourth round of this year's draft by the CTBC Brothers. He was paired with part-Japanese catcher Shiraishi Yuto, drafted in the seventh round by the Rakuten Monkeys.

Huang allowed a solo home run to Akahori So with one out in the top of the first. He then gave up consecutive hits to Sakakibara Shitto and Watanabe Kai, walked Kuroda Yoshinobu, and allowed another run on a single by Imanotsu Keisuke with two outs.

In the second inning, after one out, Okada Keigo hit a triple, and a sacrifice fly brought in one run. In the fourth, Suzuki Yuki was walked and advanced to second on a stolen base. Okada followed with a single to score a run. An error allowed the runner to reach third, a passed ball brought in another run with two outs, and Kuroda then hit a two-run homer, prompting Huang's removal.

Yen Cheng-en relieved and prevented further damage. However, in the sixth, he gave up three straight hits, followed by an error and a sacrifice fly, allowing two more runs.

In the seventh, Chiu Chao-ching took over but issued consecutive walks and a wild pitch. Chang Yen-ze came in, allowed a sacrifice fly, and then gave up a two-run homer to Nishino Keiya.

Taiwan failed to score in the first five innings. In the bottom of the sixth, Wang Chia-i and Ho Pin-shih-jung hit consecutive singles, and a pair of ground balls brought in one run, but the rally fizzled.

Japan's starter Fujimoto Shisei pitched five scoreless innings, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts and no walks, earning the win.

Huang totaled 3.2 innings, allowing nine hits (including two homers), three walks, three strikeouts, and seven runs, taking the loss.

With the preliminary round complete, Taiwan finishes with three losses. They will face South Korea again tomorrow in the bronze medal game, while Japan advances to face the USA for the title. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150714