Lin An-Ko's Double Sparks Offense, But Seibu Suffers Comeback Loss to Fighters

(CNA Reporter Su Chih-she, Taipei, 18th) Taiwanese position player Lin An-Ko of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Saitama Seibu Lions hit a double today and scored on a teammate's hit. However, Seibu gave up 5 runs in a single inning and suffered a comeback loss, falling 3-5 to the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

Lin An-Ko went hitless in 4 at-bats yesterday. Today, starting as the cleanup hitter and designated hitter, he grounded out and flied out in his first two at-bats. It wasn't until the top of the 6th inning, with one out and a runner on first, that he hit a double off Fighters' ace pitcher Hiromi Itoh, creating a great opportunity for the team. The next batter, Takayoshi Yamamura, followed with a hit that drove in 2 runs, opening the scoring.

However, in the bottom of the 6th, the Seibu Lions gave up 5 runs at once, losing their lead. Lin An-Ko grounded out in the top of the 8th, finishing the day 1-for-4, bringing his post-game batting average to .219.