The CPBL All-Star Game series wrapped up on Sunday with a dramatic conclusion between Team Taiwan and the CPBL All-Stars. After Taiwan claimed a 7–5 comeback win in Saturday’s opener, Sunday’s game was a 0–0 tie after nine innings—leading to the first-ever swing-off finish in CPBL All-Star Game history. Taiwan ultimately came out on top again, winning the series 2–0.
Both games had an attendance of 40,000—setting a new CPBL All-Star Game record.
Game 1: Taiwan Rallies Late for 7–5 Win
In Saturday’s series opener, the CPBL All-Stars built an early 5–1 lead before Taiwan stormed back with a six-run seventh inning. The turning point came on a dropped fly ball hit by Kungkuan Giljegiljaw, which opened the door for the comeback. Yu-Hsien Chu delivered the go-ahead RBI single to make it 6–5, and Taiwan never trailed in the game again.
Shao-Hong Jiang led Taiwan’s offense with two hits, including an RBI single to stretch the lead to 7–5. Six CPBL All-Stars recorded multi-hit games, with Tzu-Hao Lin and Tian-Shin Kuo both posting two hits and an RBI apiece.
Game 2: Pitchers Shine Before Historic Swing-Off
Sunday’s game was a pitcher’s duel from start to finish. Taiwan’s staff held the CPBL All-Stars to just three hits over nine scoreless innings. The All-Stars matched that effort, allowing only six hits. Bradin Hagens started for the CPBL All-Stars, tossing two shutout innings. He currently ranks third in the CPBL in ERA and is a strong contender for the league’s ERA title and a spot on the CPBL Best Ten.
With the game still scoreless after nine innings, the contest headed to a swing-off—the first in CPBL All-Star history. Yu Chang homered first for the CPBL All-Stars. Taiwan answered with a home run from the league’s top hitter, An-Ko Lin. Yu-Hsien Chu then delivered his second clutch moment of the series, hitting the winning homer to give Taiwan a 2–1 victory in the swing-off.
One of the most emotional moments of the weekend came in the eighth inning on Sunday, when shortstop Chih-Sheng Lin—also known by his indigenous name, Ngayaw Ake’—received a standing ovation upon his exit. The 43-year-old announced his retirement earlier this year, making this his final All-Star appearance.
Lin is a Taiwanese baseball icon. He won the CPBL MVP in 2015 and was the first player in league history to record a 30 HR/30 SB season. He earned Taiwan Series MVP honors in both 2012 and 2015, claimed a Gold Glove in 2007, and was named to the CPBL Best Ten five times. He also represented Taiwan on the international stage in the Olympics, World Baseball Classic, Premier12, Asian Games, and Asian Championships.
Looking Ahead: CPBL Playoff Picture
The second half of the CPBL regular season resumes Tuesday, with two playoff spots still up for grabs. The Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions have already clinched a postseason berth after finishing the first half with a 36–24 record. If they also top the second-half standings, they will automatically advance to the Taiwan Series.
Currently, the Wei Chuan Dragons lead the second-half standings at 5–3, followed by the Rakuten Monkeys at 4–3 and the Lions at 4–4. The playoffs are set to begin on October 10, with the Taiwan Series scheduled to start on October 18.
CPBL has unveiled the key visual for the 2025 All-Star Game, which is set to take place from July 19 to 20 at the Taipei Dome. pic.twitter.com/B1d31cNmtn
— CPBL STATS (Taiwan Dark Lemon) 🪬🔮 (@GOCPBL) July 19, 2025
WBN CPBL: https://worldbaseball.com/league/taiwan-2/chinese-professional-baseball-league/
