Nippon-Ham's Ku Lin Jui-Yang Pitches 5 Scoreless Innings in Minor League Game, Induces Two Double Plays from Yang Dai-Kang

(CNA, Taipei, 7th) Taiwanese pitcher Ku Lin Jui-Yang of Japan's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters started in a minor league game today, pitching 5 scoreless innings with a top speed of 153 km/h. He twice forced Yang Dai-Kang into double plays, and his team ultimately won 4-0, with Ku earning the win.

Ku Lin started today's farm team game against the Oisix Niigata Albirex BC. The Fighters had the Taiwanese pitcher start, and he retired the side in order in the 1st inning. In the 2nd, after one out, he gave up a single, then faced Yang Dai-Kang, inducing a ground ball to shortstop for a double play.

Ku Lin retired the side in order in the 3rd and 4th innings. In the 5th, after one out, he allowed another single, then faced Yang Dai-Kang again, inducing another groundball double play to keep his slate clean.

In total, Ku Lin threw 68 pitches over 5 innings, allowing 2 hits, striking out 1, and issuing no walks or hit batsmen, for no runs. His fastest pitch was 153 km/h. The team won 4-0, and Ku Lin was the winning pitcher.

The Seibu Lions farm team played against the Rakuten Golden Eagles farm team today. Seibu's Taiwanese player Lin An-Ko started, batting 5th and playing right field. He struck out in the 2nd, grounded out to first base in the 5th. In the 7th, facing Rakuten's Taiwanese pitcher Sung Chia-Hao, he hit a sacrifice fly to center field for an RBI, and drew a walk in the 9th.

Lin An-Ko went 0-for-2 today with a strikeout, a walk, and an RBI. His batting average is now .176.

Rakuten's pitcher Sung Chia-Hao appeared in relief, pitching 0.2 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 walk, and was charged with 1 earned run. The Rakuten farm team ultimately won 4-2. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150607