RI outclasses Hong Kong in Asian Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Host Indonesia outclassed Hong Kong 15-0 during day-two action at the fourth Asian Cup Baseball Championship at Bung Karno Baseball Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday.

In earlier games, favorite Thailand blanked Malaysia 14-0 in a rain-shortened game. Thailand produced an impressive second inning, scoring 11 runs. The umpire then called the game when the rain began to fall, taking into account Malaysia's hefty lead.

All teams have agreed to the slaughter rule, in which a game is called when one team builds a 15-run lead.

Another tournament favorite, Pakistan, defeated Uzbekistan 18- 3 in six innings.

Both Hong Kong, which batted first, and Indonesia failed to score in the first inning.

Indonesia's cleanup hitter, Lukmanul Hakim, failed to cash in on a scoring opportunity, stranding leadoff hitter Tony Pribadi at third.

The home team plated eight runs in the second inning. Indonesia's first two runs came on a double steal. With Jericho Gaffar at the plate and Gunawan Pramono at third, Heri Haeruman took off for second. Gunawan came home on the throw to second and Heri raced around third and scored when the ball got away from the Hong Kong infielders.

Jericho reached base and came home on a hit by Tony Pribadi, which also sent Yuno Dewanto to third. Yuno and Tony were driven in by Andryono.

Veteran Lukmanul Hakim got the next two RBIs, Indonesia's sixth and seventh runs of the inning, when he drove in Andryo from third base and Michael Trisnadi from second. Lukmanul, nicknamed Luki, came home with the final run of the inning on a hit by Gilbert Sajogo.

In the third inning, Indonesia put another run on the board when Jericho was driven in by Michael.

The score remained 9-0 through the fourth inning, with Indonesia failing to take advantage of a scoring opportunity. With two outs and Heri at third, Tony hit a little grounder and was gunned down at first.

In the fifth inning, with Michael standing on second, Luki drove one out of the yard for a two-run homer, Indonesia's first four-bagger of the tournament.

The home team added four more runs in the sixth inning and the game was called because of the 15-run rule.

Yuno drove in the first run of the inning on a sacrifice fly, scoring Heri and moving Jericho over to third.

Jericho jogged home when Tony hit one in the alley and cruised into third with a triple.

Tony was sent home by Andryo and Luki ended the game by driving in Andryo to give Indonesia the 15-0 victory over Hong Kong.

"Indonesia is too strong for my players, who don't have enough experience. Our players were shocked when Indonesia scored eight runs in the second inning," Hong Kong manager Shiu-Hung Chan told The Jakarta Post.

Indonesian head coach Rahmad Nasir said his players lost their focus and concentration in the third and fourth innings, which he blamed on a lack of physical fitness.

On Tuesday, Hong Kong will play Malaysia and Indonesia will face Uzbekistan. In the other game, favorites Thailand and Pakistan will meet in what looks to be an important game.

"I expect it to be a very good game on Tuesday. Both teams have similar strengths," Pakistan coach Shujjat Ali told the Post.

Thailand coach Songpon Rujivong told the Post his team would play a defensive game on Tuesday.

"The Pakistani pitchers are very powerful and throw hard. We'll try to play defensively by taking one base at a time.

"Most of our players are young and have little experience. The experienced ones are taking examinations at their universities," he said. (nvn)