Brothers to take on Dragons in series

BEST OF SEVEN: The CTBC Brothers beat the Uni-Lions after winning a decider in Taichung 8-2 in a hotly contested playoff series that saw the lead go back and forth

The CPBL Taiwan Series is to begin at Taipei Dome on Saturday after the CTBC Brothers beat the Uni-Lions 8-2 on Monday to claim the last spot in the championship.

The Brothers face the Wei Chuan Dragons in the best-of-seven championship series, the first Taiwan Series to be played entirely at Taipei Dome. A champion could be crowned as early as Wednesday next week.

Wei Chuan are the home team for games 1 and 2 and, if necessary, games 5 through 7. The Brothers host games 3 and 4.

CTBC Brothers pitcher and MVP of the game Cheng Hao-chun winds up to pitch agains the Uni-Lions on Monday in Taichung in the deciding game.

Photo courtesy of CTBC Brothers

CTBC reached their third consecutive Taiwan Series by winning the playoff series 3-2, a tally that includes the one-game advantage it received as the second-half regular-season champion.

The Brothers won Friday’s opener to move within one win of advancing, but the Uni-Lions took the next two games to force a deciding fourth game on Monday at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium.

Brothers starter Cheng Hao-chun earned the win and was named game MVP, allowing one earned run on five hits over 5-2/3 innings. He struck out two and walked three, throwing 98 pitches.

CTBC pulled away with three runs in the fifth inning, all forced home by bases-loaded walks. Chang Jen-wei and Chan Tzu-hsien added solo home runs in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively.

Cheng credited his teammates and recalled his coaches’ pregame message that to win, the team had to want it more than their opponents.

“We’re almost there. Hang in there a little longer,” he told supporters.

The game was the end of a long career for seasoned Uni-Lions player Chen Yung-chi.

The 43-year-old, who had announced his retirement this season, entered at first base in the sixth inning and singled to right field in his final plate appearance in the ninth.

Chen removed his cap to acknowledge the crowd before being replaced by a pinch runner and embracing Uni-Lions manager Lin Yueh-ping.

Although the game was played at the Brothers’ home stadium, fans of both teams chanted Chen’s name afterward. He embraced Brothers players and coaches before leaving the field to cheers.