Just a couple of days removed from their failed late-game magic against Cuba, Japan defeated Chinese Taipei 4-3 in the 10th inning as the game went into extras. Japanese pitching held on long enough for Sho Nakata to deliver the game-winning sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th.
It was pretty much a typical Japanese comeback as they didn't score until the top of the eighth when Shinnosuke Abe singled to right scoring Kirokazu Ibata. Hayato Sakamoto then singled in Yuichi Honda to tie the game 2-2.
All in all, their bats were working all day long having mustered 13 hits in the entire game. It was just a matter of time when they would get the big hit to score a run.
As far as pitching, Chien-Ming Wang was once again unstoppable going six innings, allowing six hits, one walk and striking out one. It's his second performance where he pitches six inning sand completely shuts down a team. However, the bullpen couldn't hold on to a 2-0 lead as the Japanese tied it in the eighth.
Chinese Taipei recovered the lead in the bottom of the eight following a single by Szu-Chi Chou that scored Yoshio Itoi. The bullpen wasn't strong enough to notch the save giving up runs in the last three innings, watching Japan steal a game away.
Up next for both teams, Chinese Taipei will face Cuba while Japan will face off against the Netherlands. It will be do or die for Cuba and Chinese Taipei having lost both of their second round games.
