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Expansion Franchise TSG Hawks Struggling
The TSG Hawks, the CPBL’s most recent expansion franchise, is off to a cold 5-15 start in the organization’s first 20 games of existence. The Hawks are 0-5 against the first-place Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions (17-0-5) and have won just one game out of eight on the road, a 4-1 win against the CTBC Brothers on April 3.
The one bright spot in the Hawks lineup has been first baseman Steven Moya, who has a .922 OPS and five home runs in 20 games. Moya played Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers from 2014-16.
SP Gu Lin Reui-Yang Dealing for Lions
Starting pitcher Gu Lin Reui-Yang of the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions is building on his success last season. He has struck out 39 in 26.1 innings thus far. As of Wednesday, the right-hander leads the CPBL in strikeouts and ERA (0.68).
Gu Lin was on the bump for Wednesday’s game against the TSG Hawks, a 17-6 slaughter by the Lions. He struck out seven and allowed one earned run in five innings, improving to 2-0 this year.
Rakuten Monkeys Play First Game in Renovated Stadium
The Rakuten Monkeys played their first game in the newly renovated Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, on Saturday, April 27, against the TSG Hawks, winning 1-0. Rain postponed all three CPBL games on April 26, delaying the Monkeys the opportunity to play at the stadium.
According to Focus Taiwan, the main improvements to Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium included improving the infield and outfield grass, lighting, drainage, outfield seating, locker rooms, and bathrooms.
Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium was one of four undergoing renovations, as Focus Taiwan reports Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium, Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, and Tainan Asia-Pacific International Baseball Stadium are in the process of receiving significant changes.
This Day in Taiwanese Baseball History
CPBL Stats reports that on May 1, 2019, many believed Fubon Guardian’s pitcher Henry Sosa was to leave the team to sign a contract to play in the KBO. The Dominican pitcher was seen posing with a contract agreement with his agent on Instagram.
The rumors were confirmed to be accurate on June 3, 2019, when the KBO’s SK Wyverns purchased Henry Sosa’s contract from Fubon. Sosa, 38, currently plays for the Conspiradores de Queretaro of Liga Mexicana de Beisbol.
CPBL Standings as of Wednesday, May 1
