April 23rd, 2008: Taiyuan at Lanzhou

April 23^rd, 2008

Taiyuan Kylin at Lanzhou Refiners

LANZHOU – After eleven innings of battling, the visiting Kylin defeated the Refiners, 5-2. The big blow came on Robin Ventura’s shot in the top of the eleventh inning, taking advantage of two free passes by Lanzhou reliever Orval Overall.

Ventura’s home run, his first of the season, erased an exciting comeback by Lanzhou in the bottom of the eighth. In that frame, Frank Howard went deep off reliever Dave Righetti, tying the score at 2. The blast would have counted for two runs, had Eddie Collins not been picked off first earlier in the same at-bat.

And thus the pitching duel between Taiyuan starter Cy Young and Lanzhou starter Eiji Sawamura resulted in a no-decision for both starters. Young gave up only a single run in 7, his ERA dropping to 3.46. Sawamura battled him stride for stride for 8 innings, giving up two runs, dropping his ERA to 2.25.

Click here for boxscore.

Today’s Other Games

Northeastern League

Nishinomiya Tigers 2, Beijing Red Dragons 1 At Nishinomiya. Tigers starter Hideo Fujimoto went eight strong innings, allowing only four hits and a single run.

Tianjin Lions 5, Seoul Blue Dragons 3 At Seoul. Charlie Hough threw a complete game, giving up ten hits in the process.

Beijing Mets 9, Shenyang Defenders 4 At Shenyang

Tokyo Giants 5, Harbin Icecaps 2 At Tokyo.

Southeastern League

Nanjing Monarchs 1, Shanghai Red Sox 0 At Nanjing, one of the tensest games of the month. Through the sweltering, moist heat of Nanjing (one of China’s famous four furnaces), the Monarchs outlasted an 87 minute rain delay to beat the Red Sox, 1-0. Sandy Koufax gave up only 3 hits in eight innings for the Nanjing club, and was matched by Shanghai’s Bartolo Colon, who shut down Nanjing on five hits over 8. The final run came on four straight Nanjing singles in the bottom of the 11^th, Honus Wagner receiving credit for the RBI.

Ningbo Stallions 5, Hefei Hope Stars 1 At Ningbo. Ningbo starter Greg Maddux won his second game, giving up only a single run on five hits and striking out 7.

Hangzhou Eagles 7, Wenzhou Merchants 5 At Wenzhou.

Northwestern League

Wuhan Turtles 11, Jinan Leopards 4 At Jinan

Xi’an Wild Geese 11, Luoyang White Horse 7 At Xi’an

Zhengzhou Dragons 6, Urumqi Flying Tigers 2 At Zhengzhou.

Southwestern League

Chongqing Fog 3, Guangzhou Fire 2 (10) At Guangzhou. Smokey Joe Williams went 9 innings for Guangzhou, but it wasn’t enough, as the visiting Fog came back in the top of the tenth.

Taibei Brother Elephants 6, Yunnan Bulls 0 At Taibei. Andy Pettitte threw a four hitter, completely shutting down Yunnan and lowering his ERA to a miniscule 0.56. Yunnan starter Bert Campaneris was injured, will miss 9 days.