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04/29/2003 Archived Entry: "Taiwan Baseball News: First Look: Tai-shan Chang Hits 100th Career Home Run!!!"
Taiwan Baseball News: First Look: Tai-shan Chang Hits 100th Career Home Run!!!
By Andrew Wong
Sinon Bulls 8 President Lions 2 (11 innings)
His nickname in English is "Tarzan". And just like Tarzan is synonymous with the jungle and the animals, Tai-shan Chang is synonymous with baseball and, well, the baseball.
Tai-shan Chang hit his 100th career home run in front of 5,172 faithful yesterday at Shingcung Stadium as the Sinon Bulls routed the President Lions 8-2 in 11 innings. The 27-year-old third baseman, nicknamed the "Prince of the Forest", became the youngest Taiwanese player to hit 100 home runs in Chinese Professional Baseball League history. Chang eventually finished the game 4-for-6 with two runs scored and three RBIs and was named the Game MVP.
Chang began the 2003 season with 90 homers over seven years (Weichung Dragons, 1996-1999; Sinon Bulls, 2000-2002). Last night, Chang hit his 10th dinger of the season and still leads the CPBL in that category. His three RBIs last night now gives him 29 on the year.
At 172cm and 84kg, Chang has hardly the build of a power hitter. But he has managed to hit the double-digits in home runs in seven of the past eight seasons, including this one. Also, this year is the fifth in a row where Chang has hit at least one grand slam, something that no other hitter has matched in the history of professional baseball in Taiwan.
How about the game? It was tied 2-2 heading into the 11th inning and eventually, the Bulls would pull it out with six runs, four of them off Lions' reliever Jung-yang Tsao. He ended up with the loss to fall to 0-1-0 as he gave up four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings.
Lions' rookie starter Wei-luen Pan's bid to tie the record for most consecutive victories by a rookie pitcher to begin the season was spoiled in his last start and last night he picked up a no-decision, although he did pitch better this time around. Pan went seven innings, giving up two runs, both of which were earned.
Bulls' pitcher Ramon Morel went a spectacular four innings in relief of starter Chi-shian Ho to pick up the victory as he improved to 3-0-0. Morel pitched four shutout innings while Ho matched Pan pitch for pitch, giving up two earned runs in his seven innings of work.
Center fielder Kang-ling Huang went 2-for-4 for the now 19-9-0 Lions, who are tied with the Bulls for the CPBL standings lead. The Bulls improved to 18-8-0.
The Bulls and Lions move to Shingchu Stadium tonight (6:35 p.m. Taiwan time) to continue their series.
Today's Picture
Sinon Bulls' third baseman Tai-shan Chang rounds the bases after hitting his 100th career home run
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E
Bulls 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 6 8 14 0
Lions 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 1
WP: Ramon Morel (3-0-0)
LP: Jung-yang Tsao (0-1-0)
HR: 3B Tai-shan Chang (10)
Game MVP: Chang
Attendance: 5,172
Venue: Shingcung Stadium, Taiwan
Game time: 4:01
Today's Games
At Shingcung Stadium: Makoto Gida (11-16-0) at China Trust Whales (14-10-2)
At Shingchu Stadium: Sinon Bulls (18-8-0) at President Lions (19-9-0)
2003 Chinese Professional Baseball League standings
W L T GB Pct.
1. Sinon Bulls 18 8 0 --- .692
1. President Lions 19 9 0 --- .679
3. China Trust Whales 14 10 2 3.0 .583
4. Makoto Gida 11 16 0 7.5 .407
5. Brother Elephants 10 16 1 8.0 .385
6. First Securities Agan 6 19 1 11.5 .240
