2007 Baseball World Cup: Highlights from Day 4 to Day 6

Australia and Cuba have qualified for the Quarter Final of the 2007 Baseball World Cup. There was only one game taking place today between Chinese Taipei and Italy in Tianmu Baseball Stadium. After six days of play, the competition will most certainly heat up in next 48 hours with every team fiercely vying to qualify for the Quarter Final which takes place Friday, November 15.

Day 4: Australia set records in single game

It was a merciless massacre as Australia mercy-ruled Thailand with a shellacking of 26-1, echoing the Rangers' 30-3 rout of the Orioles' this August. In addition to the remarkable disparity in runs, Australia also singlehandedly set four BWC records:

Most runs in a game: 26

Largest run differential in a game: 25

Most runs in an inning: 12 in the top of 3rd.

Most hits in a game: 30

Yet this rout only featured one home run, a 2-run shot by the Australian infielder Glenn Williams.

Other Results at Day 4

Group A

South Africa 3-13A Mexico

Chinese Taipei 8-4 Spain

Panama 6-0 Italy

Japan 1-5 USA

Group B

Netherlands 7-4 Venezuela

Germany 0-10A Canada

South Korea 2-7 Cuba

Day 5: Australia and Cuba qualify for Quarter Final

Cuba vs Venezuela

If Cuba can defeat Venezuela, they can not only keep their winning streak intact but also qualify for the Quarter Final of the 2007 BWC. And they did it in style as starter Yadel Marti almost had a perfect game if it were not for Lino Connell's (Venezuela) single in the bottom of 7th. Cuba eventually ended the game early with a score of 10-0.

Australia wins thriller against S Korea

This game developed into a pitching duel as both sides only managed to score one run going into the 9th. Yet the Aussies took care of business in the bottom half when infielder Ben Risinger belted a walk-off hit as Australia beat S Korea, 2-1.

Other Results on Day 5

Group A

Italy 8-0 South Africa

Mexico 9-5 Chinese Taipei

USA 12A-2 Spain

Panama 2-6 Japan

Group B

Canada 7-1 Netherlands

Thailand 0-2 Germany

Day 6: Host edges Italy in controversy

This pitching duel took place between James Anthony Fiore, formerly of the La New Bears, and En-yu Lin, an ex-Macoto Cobra. They completely shut down their opponent's offense as two teams were held scoreless for the first 8 innings.

Two disputed calls came in the 9th. In the top of the inning, the Italian baserunner appeared to beat the throw at the 3rd base by the Chinese Taipei right fielder, but the umpire from S Korea stll called him out. The other came in the bottom half. With 2 outs, Chih-sheng Lin seemed to have swung the bat, yet the 1st base umpire from Japan called no swing. This controversial call eventually determined the outcome of the game as Lin won the game, 1-0, with a walk-off hit. Even though Chinese Taipei won this game, many spectators and internet users from Taiwan heavily criticized Chinese Taipei and left harsh comments on the official websites such as "What a SHAME Taiwanese!", casting a shadow of mistrust upon this questionably called game.

Tomorrow's fixtures

Group A

South Africa vs USA

Japan vs Italy

Spain vs Mexico

Chinese Taipei vs Panama

Group B

Cuba vs Thailand

Germany vs Australia

Venezuela vs Canada

Netherlands vs South Korea