Taiwan starter Lai Yan-fong pitches during their game against Germany at the WBSC U23 Baseball World Cup at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium yesterday. Photo: CNA

By Grant Dexter / Staff reporter

Taiwan defeated Germany in Taichung yesterday to stay undefeated after Day 3 of the WBSC U23 Baseball World Cup, while rain in Taipei meant three games had to be carried over.

The game between Australia and Cuba — which had no score when the rain hit at Tianmu Stadium in Shilin District — was suspended, with a resumption date to be decided.

The rain also forced the postponement of the afternoon game between Puerto Rico and the Netherlands, as well as the South Korea-Mexico clash, the WBSC organizers said on its Web site.

The weather also affected Taichung, with the Venezuela-Japan game delayed by an hour in the top of the third.

After the resumption at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, Japan defeated defending world champions Venezuela 5-2 to go to the top of Group A.

The South American side led 2-1 after one inning, but three runs in the top of the second put Japan ahead to stay.

Earlier, Colombia trounced South Africa 10-0 in six innings.

In the night game in central Taiwan, the hosts scored runs in the first, third and sixth innings.

In the bottom of the first, Chen Sheng-ping singled to center field to bring Li I-wei home.

In the third inning, Yen Kuo-chin grounded out, allowing Tseng Chen-tso to double the lead.

In the sixth, Chen doubled with a shot over the head of left-field before Ji Cing-ran singled to bring him home to complete the scoring.

Starting pitcher Lai Yan-fong pitched 3-1/3 innings, allowing only one hit, and Hsu Chi-ling relieved him with 3-2/3 innings of one-hit ball.

On Friday, Puerto Rico beat Cuba 5-0, Venezuela sank South Africa 9-0, Mexico edged Australia 3-2, Japan blanked Germany 6-0 and South Korea beat the Netherlands 4-0.

Japan and Taiwan had 2-0 records at the top of Group A, Colombia and Venezuela (both 1-1) were third and fourth, and Germany and South Africa (0-2) remained winless.

In Group B, South Korea, Mexico and Puerto Rico had 1-0 records, while Australia, Cuba and the Netherlands were 0-1.

News source: TAIPEI TIMES