Clarifying the Controversial Hit-by-Pitch, Liao Jen-Lei: Foot Slipped, Unrelated to Catcher

(Central News Agency reporter Su Chih-She, Taipei, 3rd) Fubon Guardians pitcher Liao Jen-Lei hit Wei Chuan Dragons player Kuo Tien-Hsin with a pitch yesterday, sparking controversy over whether it was intentional. Liao Jen-Lei explained that his foot slipped, causing the wild pitch, and it had nothing to do with whether the catcher called for an inside pitch. Yesterday, in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Guardians sent Liao Jen-Lei to the mound for relief. He accidentally hit Kuo Tien-Hsin on the right knee, forcing him to leave the game early. At that moment, Dragons manager Ye Jun-Chang angrily questioned, "Did you do that on purpose?" Liao Jen-Lei said he was very worried when he saw Kuo Tien-Hsin fall. When facing Manager Ye's questioning, he was momentarily stunned and could only reply, "How do you see me as doing it on purpose?" After the game yesterday, Liao Jen-Lei called Kuo Tien-Hsin to apologize. Liao Jen-Lei stated that because his foot slipped at the time, he knew the ball was off as soon as he released it. Fortunately, Kuo Tien-Hsin was not seriously injured. "I can understand that Manager Ye would be a bit emotional because he's protecting his own player." Ye Jun-Chang mentioned in an interview before today's game that hit-by-pitches might be related to the opponent's pitch calling. "The pitcher and catcher might think they'll just throw inside, and if they hit someone, they hit someone, without being particularly careful." Liao Jen-Lei responded to this, saying that he was the one throwing the ball at the time, and it had nothing to do with the catcher. The last thing he wanted was to "load the bases," which would require other pitchers to step in, adding a "burden to the team." Guardians catcher Dai Pei-Feng said that the original call was for an outside pitch, but Liao Jen-Lei shook his head. Considering that Kuo Tien-Hsin had hit a single off an outside pitch earlier, they changed to an inside pitch. "We didn't keep throwing inside pitches. As a catcher, hit-by-pitches and walks are definitely to be avoided." Guardians manager Goto Mitsutaka stated that Manager Ye's actions were to protect his own player. "If it were us today, we would do the same." But that pitch had nothing to do with pitch calling. "It was simply his hand hooking the ball." Before today's game, he also reminded Liao Jen-Lei about some technical aspects. (Edited by Wu Su-Jou) 1150503