During a high-stakes September 28, 2026 game at Taoyuan, Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions rallied past the Rakuten Monkeys in an extra-inning thriller. Lin Yue-ping expressed astonishment after veteran relief left-hander Chen Guan-yu missed a crucial play at home plate in the ninth inning, allowing a tying run.
Ninth-Inning Breakdown and the Missed Play at Home
The visiting Lions struggled to turn their early pressure into runs over the first eight innings, pushing across just a single score against the Monkeys’ pitching staff. That all shifted in the top of the ninth when Chen 重羽 (Chen Chong-yu), Li Cheng-ling, and Chiu Chih-cheng delivered consecutive hits to load the bases with nobody out. Lin Tsu-jen then drew a four-pitch walk to force home a run, narrowing the deficit to 2-3.
After Chen Che-hsien struck out, Pan Chieh-kai hit a sharp grounder right back to the mound. Under standard defensive logic with the bases loaded and no outs, the play requires a throw to the catcher to start a potential force at home before relaying to first for a double play. Instead, Chen Guan-yu spun toward second base, and the ball slipped from his hand as the tying run crossed the plate for Uni-President.
“I don’t know why Guan-yu made that mistake.”
Lin Yue-ping, via ETtoday
Reaction and Fatigue Concerns
Lin Yue-ping did not hide his surprise after the game, pointing out that such an experienced reliever should have gone home immediately. Usually at this moment with a ground ball, no matter what, it is home,
Lin noted, emphasizing that even Taiwan’s top relief left-hander can stumble under extreme pressure.
Extra-Inning Surge Secures the Victory
Uni-President capitalized fully on the ninth-inning lifeline. Having pulled even at 3-3, the Lions dominated the 10th frame by erupting for four runs. Chen Sheng-ping delivered a go-ahead hit, Lin Tsu-jen drew another bases-loaded walk, and Chen Che-hsien capped the outburst with a two-run single.
The Lions finished the contest with a commanding 16 hits, turning a late-game defensive miscue by their opponents into a 7-4 extra-inning triumph on the road.