CPBL: Rakuten Manager Explains Outfielder's Rare Fielding Error Due to Illness

The Rakuten Monkeys secured a 3-1 victory over the Wei Chuan Dragons, thanks to a quality start from foreign pitcher Elios Blanco, who pitched seven innings allowing only one unearned run. The Monkeys' offense provided a cushion by scoring three runs in the first five innings.

However, a peculiar incident in the seventh inning drew attention. With two outs, Wei Chuan's Li Kai-wei hit a deep fly ball to right field. Rakuten's outfielder Chen Chen-wei retreated towards the home run wall, appearing poised to make the catch, but the ball struck the edge of his glove and fell to the ground, resulting in a fielding error.

This miscue allowed Li Kai-wei to advance to second base, and he subsequently scored on a double by Chang Cheng-yu, accounting for the Dragons' sole run of the game. Chen Chen-wei was replaced by Lin Li in right field in the ninth inning.

Post-game, Rakuten manager Tseng Hao-chu offered an explanation for Chen Chen-wei's rare error. "Chen Wei has great talent," Tseng said. "He was actually feeling unwell today, with cold symptoms. When chasing that ball, his eye focus wasn't right, which is why we substituted Lin Li." Tseng expressed confidence that his players always give their best effort on the field.

Statistics show that Chen Chen-wei has committed 8 errors in 192 defensive opportunities over 77 games in the outfield this season, resulting in a fielding percentage of .958.