Taiwan's Teng Kai-wei gets first start for Giants

台灣球員鄧愷威（Teng Kai-wei）首次擔任巨人隊先發

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Teng Kai-wei (鄧愷威) made his first start as the San Francisco Giants took on the New York Mets on Sunday.

Teng’s start marks a return to the Major Leagues following four appearances as a long reliever last year, after which he was sent down to Triple-A. Since transitioning to a starting pitcher, Teng has posted a 3.67 ERA, per UDN.

He got off to a shaky start at Citi Field, the Mets' home stadium, giving up a single to the first batter, Brandon Nimmo. He then threw 10 pitches to Francisco Lindor, who eventually drew a walk, putting runners on first and second.

Although Teng struck out Juan Soto for the first out, Pete Alonso turned a 94 mph fastball into a 428-foot, three-run homer to center field. After facing just four batters, the Giants trailed 3-0.

Teng then gave up a single to Jeff McNeil, but he struck out two batters in a row to avert a first-inning crisis.

The Giants tried to claw their way back, scoring one run off Casey Schmitt's double in the top of the second inning and adding on with Dominic Smith's two-run home run in the top of the third to tie the score.

In the fourth, Lee Jung-hoo’s double and Grant McCray’s single gave the Giants a 4-3 lead.

Teng pitched scoreless second and third innings, but in the bottom of the fourth, he allowed a leadoff single to Cedric Mullins, who later stole second. Teng walked the next batter, Brett Baty, and was replaced by reliever Matt Gage, who surrendered two straight hits. Both runs were attributed to Teng, giving the Mets a 5-4 lead.

Despite the loss, Teng became the first Taiwanese pitcher to start in the Major Leagues in seven years. He threw 67 pitches (44 strikes), allowing four hits, three walks (including one hit batter), four strikeouts, and five earned runs.

Teng is the second Taiwanese player to reach the Major Leagues this season. In April, utility infielder Cheng Tsung-che (鄭宗哲) was briefly called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates before returning to their Triple-A affiliate.