CDN Player of the Week XVII -- Brock Dykxhoorn
Former Ontario Nationals RHP Brock Dykxhoorn (Goderich, Ont.) pitched Game 1 of the Taiwan Series. While he worked six innings, his Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions won with a three-run homer in the top of the 10th.
By George Farelli
Canadian Baseball Network
We’re sure if Brock Dykxhoorn makes a convenient, quick stop in Taiwan he will visit 7-11.
And no doubt he could probably get a free coffee if recognized.
Dykxhoorn (Goderich, Ont.) pitched six innings for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions, allowing one run on five hits in Game 1 of the Taiwan Series against the CTBC Brothers. The former Ontario National walked one, fanned six and left with a no decision.
Pinch hitter Pan Wu-Hsiung, 39, playing in his 15th season, hit a three-run, game-winning home run in the 10th inning for a 4-2 victory at Taichung Intercontinental Stadium, before 15,600 (78% of seating capacity) on Halloween. The Uni-Lions lead the Brothers 1-0 in the best-of-seven series.
Drafted by Houston Astros from Central Arizona in the sixth round in 2014, Dykxhoorn, faced former Toronto Blue Jay Esmil Rogers. Rogers worked eight innings giving up a run on five walks and four hits, while striking out five.
In their combined 14 half-innings, Rogers and Dykxhoorn retired the side eight times (Rogers five). At one point Rogers had retired 13 in a row. He allowed a run-scoring single to Su Chih-Chieh.
A walk to lead off the top of the ninth ended Rogers’ 116-pitch performance. Lions’ Chen Yun-Wen had a nervy 10th. Up by three he gave up a lead off single and hit the next batter. One out later 3B Wang Wei-Chen singled to load the bases. Pan Chih-Fang struck out to end the game.
The Lions were happy about Dyxhoorn’s start and the way that the bullpen put up zeros. Dyxhoorn made 12 starts en route to a 5-3 record and a 5.68 ERA on the season.
The Brothers won 16 of the first 20 games against the Lions in the first half of the season. In the second half the Lions took 13 of 20 with a tie.
Other news: The Rakuten Monkeys released LHP Justin Nicolino, the former Toronto Blue Jays farmhand. Nicolino had a 5.90 ERA in 39 2/3 innings. He was one of the Lansing trio along with Noah Syndergaard of the New York Mets and free agent Aaron Sanchez.
Previous winners
Player of Week XVII _ RHP Brock Dykxhoorn (Goderich, Ont.) Uni President 7-Eleven Lions
Player of the Month (Weeks XIII-XVI) _ 1B Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns.
Week XII _ 1B Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns.
Week XI _ 1B Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns.
Week X _ LHP Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.) Orix Buffaloes.
Week VIX _ 1B Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns.
Week VIII _ INF Wes Darvill (Langley, BC) Winnipeg Goldeyes.
Week VII _ INF Wes Darvill (Langley, BC) Winnipeg Goldeyes.
Week VI _ OF Michael Crouse (Port Moody, BC) Chicago Dogs.
Week V _ OF Michael Crouse (Port Moody, BC) Chicago Dogs.
Week IV _ 1B Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns.
Week III _ OF Michael Crouse (Port Moody, BC) Chicago Dogs.
Week II _ LHP Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.) Orix Buffaloes.
Week I _ 1B Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns.
Seasons completed
FGN Swiss Federation - Regular Season ended August 15th
IND Constellation Energy League - Regular Season ended Aug. 30th
IND American Association - Regular Season ends Sept. 10th
FGN Austria Federation – Regular Season ends Sept. 13th
FGN German Bundesliga - Regular Season ends Sept. 20th
FGN CPBL (Taiwan) - Regular Season ends October 14th
FGN Korea (KBO) – Regular Season ends October 30th
Still playing
FGN Japan Pacific League - Regular Season ends Nov. 7th
_ With files from CPBL Taiwan Series news.