Dodgers' Taiwanese slugger Ke Jing-hsien singles off two-time All-Star Kikuchi; Athletics' prospect Sha Tzu-chen strikes out five

Taiwanese baseball prospect Ke Jing-hsien, 20, made a notable play against a prominent pitcher during a recent minor league game. Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers' Class-A affiliate, Ke hit a line-drive single to left field off Yusei Kikuchi, a two-time All-Star pitcher currently on a rehabilitation assignment with the Angels' Class-A team.

Ke Jing-hsien started as the cleanup hitter and right fielder, going 1-for-4 in the game with his single. His hit came on an inside pitch from Kikuchi in the first inning. Ke later scored on a teammate's hit. His season batting average is now .260 with an .851 OPS.

Kikuchi's rehabilitation start did not go smoothly, as he allowed seven hits, including a home run, and eight earned runs in 4.2 innings. He struck out eight batters but also issued two walks. Dodgers veteran reliever Blake Treinen also pitched in a rehab game on the same day, throwing a hitless inning with two strikeouts.

In another game, 22-year-old Taiwanese pitcher Sha Tzu-chen, known as "Da Sha," showcased his potential for the Oakland Athletics' Double-A team. Sha entered the game in the fifth inning with two outs and runners on base, striking out the batter to escape the jam. He continued into the sixth, giving up a solo home run but still recording three strikeouts. In the seventh, control issues led to a walk and another strikeout before he was removed. Sha pitched 1.2 innings, allowing one hit and one run with five strikeouts and two walks, bringing his ERA to 9.33.