Sun shines on China -- china.org.cn

China's late rally in the eighth inning and a second-rate performance from Chinese Taipei's relief pitchers helped China to Olympic victory in extra innings as they defeated long-time rivals Chinese Taipei 8-7 at Wukesong Baseball Field on Friday.

China's late rally in the eighth inning and a second-rate performance from Chinese Taipei's relief pitchers helped China to Olympic victory in extra innings as they defeated long-time rivals Chinese Taipei 8-7 at Wukesong Baseball Field on Friday.

Chinese Taipei's starting pitcher Pan Wei-lun dominated, striking out seven batters in almost seven full innings and allowing no runs.

Chinese Taipei leveled the score and the teams remained tied 3-3 at the end of the 10th inning. The new extra innings rule was implemented as each team took to the plate with runners on first and second from the 11th inning. The score remained tied into the 12th, until Chinese Taipei scored four runs to take the lead 7-3.

China retaliated at the bottom of the 12th with five RBIs to take their first Olympic Baseball victory, finishing 8-7.

Chinese Taipei's Lo Kuo-hui opened the scoring with a high-flying homerun over the centerfield fence.

Relief pitcher Yang Chien-Fu, who took the loss for Chinese Taipei, loaded the bases in the 12th with a walk to set the table for China's first win.

China's game-winning run came as Sun Lingfeng charged home, capitalizing on an error by right fielder Chang Chien-ming to seal an 8-7 victory.

James Lefebvre, China's manager, spoke on the challenges he faces coaching in China, "After five years, I know it sounds corny, but there's a third language and it's baseball."

Cuba claimed a 5-4 victory over arch rivals the United States in a tension-packed game that also involved the new extra-innings rule.

Michel Enriquez's RBI single to score two runs in the 11th was the difference between two tightly-matched teams, while four-time Olympian Pedro Luis Lazo also played a starring role for Cuba, pitching six relief innings and claiming his fourth Olympic win.

Both teams blew chances to go ahead in the 10th inning, with the score remaining 3-3. The newly-introduced 'Extra Innings Rule' of international Baseball came into effect at the top of the 11th.

The victory leaves Cuba unbeaten and sees the United States with just one win from three games and little room for error for the remainder of the tournament.

A full game shut out by the Republic of Korea's star pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin and a lone homerun were enough to defeat Canada 1-0. Ryu allowed just five hits and struck out six batters.

Jeong Keun-woo opened the scoring with a homerun over the centerfield fence in the third inning to put the ROK ahead 1-0.

"Clearly now Canada has their backs against the wall. There is no more tomorrow for this ball club," warned Canadian manager Terry Puhl on being 1-2 after three games played.

Japan was nearly flawless on Friday night, as it blanked the hapless Netherlands team, 6-0.

Starter Sugiuchi Toshiya was nearly perfect, going seven innings, allowing only four hits, one walk and striking out six. Netherlands starting pitching Alexander Smit (0-1) surrendered four earned runs – all in the first – and six hits while striking out four and walking three in the loss.

The three-loss Netherlands side has yet to score a run in these Olympic Games.

Sato Takahiko hit a solo shot in the bottom of the eighth inning. Aoki, Morino and Arai all logged two hits for Japan, and Arai's two RBI led all batters. Four hitters each had one hit for the Dutch.

(BOCOG August 16, 2008)