Fukuoka: Gu Lin Ruei-yang, the 2024 MVP of Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), demonstrated remarkable skill in front of over 38,000 spectators in Fukuoka as he secured his first victory in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Leading the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to a 3-2 triumph over the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Gu Lin's performance helped his team sweep the three-game series, marking a significant milestone for Taiwanese pitchers in the NPB.
According to Focus Taiwan, this win marks the first victory by a Taiwanese starting pitcher in the NPB in four years and the first by a CPBL-to-NPB Taiwanese pitcher since 2007. Gu Lin expressed gratitude to his wife and teammates, emphasizing the confidence he gained from their support. "I want to give the ball to my wife to thank her for helping me focus on the game," he said after the match.
Gu Lin's impressive stats included 10 strikeouts and only two runs allowed over seven innings. Despite a challenging start to the game, where he conceded two runs on three hits in the opening frame, Gu Lin quickly regained his composure. He retired the next six batters and struck out four in the subsequent innings, showcasing his resilience and skill.
In his debut on April 23 against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Gu Lin faced difficulties, conceding seven runs in 5 2/3 innings. However, he showed significant improvement in the latest match, allowing the Hawks only one more scoring opportunity, which he skillfully neutralized with consecutive strikeouts.
Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo praised Gu Lin's natural talent and unique pitching style, noting how his slight delay in ball release poses a challenge for hitters. Gu Lin's ERA improved to 4.97 after the game, demonstrating his potential for further success.
The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters currently hold a 15-12 record, placing them second in the Pacific League standings. They trail the Orix Buffaloes by one game and lead the Saitama Seibu Lions by half a game. The Fighters are set to host the Lions for two upcoming games over the weekend.