The Taiwanese team was rated an underdog versus the strong Japanese team for the evening game, but the players managed to take an early 1-0 lead over Japan at the end of the 4th inning while pitcher Hsu Wen-hsiung successfully held the Japanese scoreless.

Hsu was relieved by left-hand pitcher Ni Fu-teh at the end of the 5th inning after a solo homerun by the Japanese catcher to tie the game 1-1.

After a Japanese player reached 2nd base, Ni was replaced by the third pitcher Chang Chih-chia.

Chang struck out a Japanese batter, but was unable to stem the next hitter who allowed Japan to take the lead 2-1 in the 6th inning.

Both teams were unable to score in the 7th inning. However, the Japanese team widened its lead to 6-1 to wrap up the intense competition.

This was the first defeat for the Chinese Taipei team after they blanked the Netherlands in a 5-0 victory Wednesday that also saw Cuba beat Japan 4-2.

The Taiwanese players are scheduled to take on the Chinese baseball team at 10:00 a.m. in Beijing today.

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