Dragons Secure Longest Winning Streak Since Return: 'Anyone Can Be a Hero'

(Central News Agency, Taipei, 23rd) The Wei Chuan Dragons of the CPBL defeated the CTBC Brothers 2-0 today, thanks to a two-run homer by Chiang Shao-hung in the 8th inning, securing their longest winning streak since returning to the league. Dragons manager Yeh Chun-chang stated that while the batting lineup is not at its best, the fact that anyone can step up to be a hero at any time is "quite scary." The Dragons visited the Taipei Dome to face the Brothers today. The first half of the game was a pitching duel, with neither team scoring through the first 7 innings. In the top of the 8th, Chang Yu-chia was hit by a pitch, and after one out, Chiang Shao-hung hit a two-run homer to break the deadlock. This was Chiang's second home run of the season. Dragons starting pitcher Cristopher Mercedes, who performed poorly against the Brothers in his previous outing, delivered a quality start today, throwing 95 pitches over 8 innings, allowing only 4 hits, striking out 4, and walking 1, earning his 5th win of the season. Brothers' foreign pitcher Jose De Paula also had a quality start, throwing 91 pitches over 8 innings, allowing 5 hits, including the home run, and taking his first loss of the season. Manager Yeh Chun-chang praised Mercedes' performance, noting that he was hitting his spots. When asked if he considered letting Mercedes go for a shutout, Yeh said, "After the 8th inning, the pitching coach said he would give the 9th to Lin Kai-wei, so I left it to the coach's arrangement." The Dragons' all-time longest winning streak is 9 games in 1999. Today's 7th consecutive win is the longest since the team's return. Manager Yeh noted that maintaining a winning streak is not easy, as the strength of all teams has improved, and it requires both good form and a bit of luck.