Taipei, Nov. 14 (CNA) Taiwan lost to the U.S. in a 10-7 thriller Wednesday and finished as runner-up in Group A of the Baseball World Cup as eight teams advanced to the quarterfinal round which begins Friday.
The U.S. team, which is comprised of Minor League players, led Group A with a 6-1 record. Taiwan tied with Japan at 5-2 but ranked second having earlier beaten Japan. Panama finished in fourth place in Group A.
Topping Group B were defending champion Cuba and Australia, but Cuba ranked first, having beaten Australia. The Netherlands came in at third. South Korea, which tied Canada at 4-3, advanced as the fourth seed after Canada's 7-6 defeat to Australia.
All four games of the quarterfinal round, which adopts a single elimination format, are scheduled to be played Nov. 16 in Tianmu Stadiums and Hsinjhuang Stadium in Taipei. Taiwan will meet the Netherlands and the U.S. will meet South Korea. Cuba will take on Panama while Australia will face Japan.
The Americans dominated the host team with its high-power offensive game, which managed 14 hits, including three home runs, and a brilliant pitching performance that delivered 12 strikeouts. However, Taiwan kept the game tight from start to finish.
Trailing by four, Taiwan made the final push in the bottom of the ninth inning. Chiang Chih-hsien's single off U.S. closer Chris Booker loaded the bases before Cheng Chao-han's sacrifice fly drove in a run to make the score 10-7. Booker struck out Peng Chen-min and the final batter Chen Chin-feng was called out on a fly ball to centerfield.
Taiwan was forced to play catch-up all game but did not give up. Chang Tai-shan doubled to send Chen Chin-feng home. Hsieh Chia-hsien followed with a sacrifice as Chang scored to tie the score at 3-3 at the bottom of the fourth inning.
With two outs and bases loaded in the top of the sixth, Hsieh Chia-hsien drove in three runs with a double and tied the score again at 6-6.
Justin Ruggiano almost single-handedly held off Taiwan's rally with two late homers, blasting a three-run homer in the top of the seventh inning and a solo homer in the top of the ninth to make the score 10-6.
The Netherlands stunned Cuba 2-1 in its final preliminary game earlier in the day to snap Cuba's 32-game winning streak in the Baseball World Cup. Cuba still finished in first place in Group B.
In other games on the final day of the preliminary round, South Korea beat Germany 8-1 and Venezuela pounded Thailand 17-3. Panama routed South Africa 13-3 and Mexico beat Italy 11-2.
The final preliminary standings are listed below:
Group A: 1. U.S. 6-1(wins-losses) ; 2. Taiwan 5-2; 3. Japan 5-2; 4. Panama 4-3; 5. Mexico 4-3; 6. Italy 3-4; 7. Spain 1-6; 8. South Africa 0-7.
Group B: 1. Cuba 6-1; 2. Australia 6-1; 3. The Netherlands 5-2; 4. South Korea 4-3; 5. Canada 4-3; 6. Venezuela 2-5; 7. Germany 1-6; 8. Thailand 0-7.