In Game 4 of the Taiwan Series between the Wei Chuan Dragons and CTBC Brothers, the Dragons had a chance to sweep the series and claim their second title since being re-established in 2019. Dragons pitching had dominated the first three games, allowing just one run and limiting the Brothers to one baserunner in Game 3.

After 2 1/2 scoreless innings to begin the game, the Brothers’ offense finally came alive in the series. With runners on second and third and two outs, Shr-Lun Chang came through in the clutch with a two-run single to give the Brothers a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. It was their first hit with a runner in scoring position in the series.

The Dragons roared back in the fifth. After loading the bases, Shen-An Zeng delivered a two-run double off the right-field wall to tie the game at 2. The next hitter, Kai-Wei Li, singled to score two more runs and give the Dragons a 4-2 lead. After the Dragons chased starter Hao-Chun Cheng in the fifth, the bullpen took over and held the Dragons’ offense in check.

The bullpen kept the Brothers in the game, and they threatened in the sixth with runners on second and third and two outs. Cheng-Jui Sung stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch single to center field, scoring one run. The second runner was initially called out at home plate, but a review determined that Wei-Chen Wang had touched the plate with his foot just before the tag. The call was overturned, tying the game at 4.

After going hitless with runners in scoring position through the first three games, the Brothers recorded two such hits in Game 4, and their offense had finally come alive.

The game remained tied at 4 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Two hits put runners on first and second with one out, but Dragons reliever Tzu-Yu Lin induced an inning-ending double play to send the game to extra innings.

The Brothers pulled out all the stops with their pitching decisions in an effort to secure the win. Potential Game 5 starter Mario Sánchez entered in the sixth and pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out three and throwing 73 pitches.

Game 2 starter Félix Peña entered in the 11th on two days’ rest. After the Dragons put runners on the corners with one out, Peña got a grounder back to the mound and a flyout to escape the jam, keeping the game tied at 4 heading into the bottom of the 11th.

A walk and a stolen base put a runner on second for the Brothers. With two outs, Tzu-Hsien Chan stepped to the plate and delivered a single to left field. Pinch-runner Cheng-Hua Yueh beat the throw home, giving the Brothers a 5-4 walk-off victory and their first win of the Taiwan Series.

After going 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position in the first three games, the Brothers went 3-for-7 in Game 4 and broke through with a win.

The Dragons will have another opportunity to clinch the Taiwan Series on Friday night at the Taipei Dome in Game 5.

CPBL MVP front-runner John Gant is the expected starter for the Dragons. He pitched eight scoreless innings and allowed just two hits against the Brothers in Game 1.

With the Brothers having used their Game 1 and Game 2 starters in relief Wednesday, their choice for a Game 5 starter remains uncertain.

To extend the series to a sixth game, the Brothers will need to do what they have been unable to accomplish so far: produce against the top arms in the Dragons’ rotation.

If the Brothers win Game 5, they would become the first team in Taiwan Series history to force a Game 6 after losing the first three games.