Chiang's Quality 7-Inning Start Leads Wei Chuan Dragons to 800th Franchise Win Milestone

(Taipei, July 14 — Reporter Hsieh Ching-wen) The Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) defeated the CTBC Brothers 2-1 today, thanks to a quality seven-inning, one-run start by pitcher Chiang Han-wei (John Gant) and a home run by Namu Iyang. The victory ended the Dragons' recent four-game losing streak and marked the franchise's 800th win in team history.

The Dragons faced the CTBC Brothers at Chiayi City Baseball Stadium today. Foreign pitcher Chiang started the game and recorded the first 12 outs consecutively. He first allowed a Brother batter to reach base in the bottom of the fifth inning via a walk to Chan Tzu-hsien, followed by a single from Yueh Tung-hua. A subsequent ground ball led to one run, but Chiang prevented further damage.

The Dragons failed to score in the first five innings and trailed 0-1 after five. In the top of the sixth, Namu Iyang hit a solo home run to tie the game. With two outs, Chang Cheng-yu, Liu Chi-hung, and Li Kai-wei delivered consecutive hits, stringing together an offensive rally to take the lead. Li Kai-wei recorded the game-winning RBI.

Chiang continued pitching in the sixth and seventh innings, retiring all batters in order. He finished with 98 pitches over seven innings, allowing two hits, six strikeouts, one walk, and one earned run. He earned his fifth win of the season and was named the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP). (Edited by Chen Ching-fang) 1150714