Cheng Hao-chun Leads CTBC Brothers to Victory With Career-Best 8-Inning Shutout
- Chen-Huan Cheng delivered a dominant performance for the CTBC Brothers on September 12, 2026.
- The victory snapped a winning streak for Rakuten and showcased a return to ace-level form for the Brothers' rotation.
- Cheng commanded the strike zone efficiently throughout the outing.
Chen-Huan Cheng delivered a dominant performance for the CTBC Brothers on September 12, 2026. The right-hander tossed a career-high eight scoreless innings to shut out the Rakuten Monkeys 6-0 in Chinese Professional Baseball League action, according to reports from Liberty Times, CNA, and UDN.
Brothers Blank Monkeys Behind Cheng’s Masterclass
The victory snapped a winning streak for Rakuten and showcased a return to ace-level form for the Brothers’ rotation.
Controlling the Strike Zone From First Pitch
Cheng commanded the strike zone efficiently throughout the outing. He relied on a sharp mix of pitches to keep Rakuten’s lineup off balance over his eight frames of work.
According to sports media coverage, the dominant display set a new personal benchmark for single-game innings pitched in his professional career. The shutout win halted the Monkeys’ momentum and provided a major boost to the Brothers’ standing in the ongoing league schedule.
Manager Evaluates Workload After Deep Outing
Manager Ping-Hung Chen noted after the game that the pitching performance contained several notable highlights. Even so, he intended to review specific aspects of the outing further, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
The coaching staff evaluated Cheng’s pitch counts and overall workload carefully as he navigated deep into the ballgame. Such deep starts remain critical for stabilizing the bullpen during the demanding middle stretch of the season.
Offense Delivers Decisive Run Support
The CTBC Brothers’ offense provided adequate run support to back up the stellar pitching performance, securing a comfortable six-run margin by the final out.
Sportsv noted that the comprehensive victory disrupted Rakuten’s recent winning run and shifted the competitive dynamic between the two clubs. Both teams continue their respective campaigns as the second-half race intensifies.