CPBL: Yeh Tzu-ting Hit in Head by Pitch; Brothers Defeat Guardians

The CTBC Brothers secured a decisive 8-2 victory over the Fubon Guardians in a Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) game on July 12. The Brothers' offense was potent, tallying 14 hits, including a solo home run from Chan Tzu-hsien, to power their win.

Brothers' foreign pitcher Jake De La Rosa delivered a stellar performance, throwing 5 scoreless innings on just 71 pitches. He was credited with the win and named the Most Valuable Player of the game. Manager Hirano Keiichi explained post-game that the decision to remove De La Rosa after five innings was a strategic one, made in consultation with the pitching coach.

The game took a concerning turn in the bottom of the sixth inning. After reliever Chiang Chung-cheng took the mound, his very first pitch struck Fubon batter Yeh Tzu-ting in the head. Although the pitch was a breaking ball traveling at approximately 130 kilometers per hour and not a fastball, Yeh Tzu-ting fell to the ground and remained there for an extended period before being helped off the field, replaced by pinch-runner Yang Min-yi.

Following the incident, Brothers' manager Hirano Keiichi expressed his deep concern and apologized for the hit-by-pitch. "Chiang Chung-cheng came in and the first pitch hit the opponent's batter in the head. I truly feel very sorry for him and am very worried about Yeh Tzu-ting's condition," Hirano stated.

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Chiang Chung-cheng came in and the first pitch hit the opponent's batter in the head. I truly feel very sorry for him and am very worried about Yeh Tzu-ting's condition.