Taipei: Team Taiwan avoided missing the World Baseball Classic (WBC) for the first time by defeating Spain 6-3 in a do-or-die game in Taipei on Tuesday. After narrowly escaping a mercy-rule loss to Spain in the WBC Qualifiers opener last Friday, the home team — winner of the 2024 WBSC Premier12 title three months ago — got its revenge against the 2023 European champions at Taipei Dome.
According to Focus Taiwan, Taiwan captain Chen Chieh-hsien expressed that the victory felt quite different from their Premier12 win, highlighting the team’s recent struggles. Despite losing two of their first three games, including a 15-5 defeat by Spain, Chen thanked local fans for their unwavering support.
The game was a back-and-forth battle from the start. Team Taiwan scored two runs and one run in the first two innings, respectively, while Spain responded with a run in each of the first two frames to keep the margin close. The turning point came in the sixth inning when leadoff hitter Chen Wun-jie reached second base on a single and a steal, setting the stage for two more runs following consecutive errors by Spain’s third baseman Wander Encarnacion.
Spain attempted to shift momentum in the seventh inning, loading the bases with one out, but Taiwan’s Sun Yi-lei struck out two batters to escape the jam. Making his debut in a senior-level international tournament, the 20-year-old pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two. Taiwan added an insurance run in the eighth before closer Tseng Jyun-yue struck out the side to secure the victory.
ELTA TV commentator Tseng Wen-cheng praised Sun for his composure under pressure and commended Spain for maintaining high game intensity. Team Taiwan manager Tseng Hao-jiu apologized for the tense match and emphasized the team’s need to prepare for stronger opponents in the WBC.
With this victory, Taiwan joins Nicaragua in securing a spot in the WBC, set for March 2026. China, Germany, Brazil, and Colombia will compete for the remaining two slots from March 2-6.