Chen Chun-hsiu was tagged out attempting to steal home in the eighth inning, wiping out a potential rally for the Uni-President Lions against the CTBC Brothers.
The Lions were trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth when Chen led off with a long hit into scoring position. However, he was caught trying to advance home on a pitch that bounced in front of the plate, ending the inning and any chance of a comeback.
Brothers manager Hiroichi Hirano took responsibility for the failed rally, stating, “It was my mistake.” He explained that his earlier substitution decisions in the sixth inning — including a pinch hit for Wang Wei-chen and a defensive replacement for Ting Ting-lun — caused hesitation in the eighth when deciding whether to utilize his last available middle-infielder as a pinch runner for Chen.
Hirano admitted he had considered using a pinch runner but hesitated due to various factors, including the possibility of extra innings and his confidence in Chen, Kao Chih-kang and A-kun to deliver in the situation.
The failed attempt preserved the Lions’ lead, and they went on to win the game 8-1.
