Taiwanese prospect Sun Yi-Lei eyes first win in Japan; Fighters extend streak to six

Taiwanese pitching prospect Sun Yi-Lei is scheduled to make his first appearance of the season in Japan's top professional baseball league on June 11. The 21-year-old fireballer will start for the Nippon-Ham Fighters at home against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, seeking his first win of the year.

The Fighters are entering the game with momentum, having secured their sixth consecutive victory by defeating the BayStars 4-2 on June 10. Key offensive contributions came from Ryuken Otsuka and Shun Mizutani, who both hit home runs.

Sun Yi-Lei, who was promoted to a full contract player last year, recorded a 5.11 ERA in nine appearances for the Fighters' top team, with a record of 0-2 and one save. In the minor league this season, he has pitched 39 innings over nine games, striking out 39 batters with a 2.54 ERA and a .206 batting average against him.

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I don't feel particularly excited, just the usual feeling when I'm about to pitch.

According to Sports Hochi, Sun Yi-Lei expressed a calm mindset about his upcoming debut. "I don't feel particularly excited, just the usual feeling when I'm about to pitch," he stated. Regarding the BayStars' lineup, Sun Yi-Lei emphasized the need for focus: "They are all first-team hitters, so I can't let my guard down against any of them. I have to pitch with all my effort."

In the June 10 game, the Fighters took the lead in the bottom of the third inning with Otsuka's solo homer. The BayStars took a 2-1 lead in the fifth, but Mizutani tied the game with a solo shot in the same inning. The Fighters secured the win in the seventh when Otsuka's third hit of the game sparked a rally, followed by Mizutani's two-run double.

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They are all first-team hitters, so I can't let my guard down against any of them. I have to pitch with all my effort.