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Choo Shin-soo gets first two hits, scores winning run for Texas Rangers
Choo Shin-soo picked up his first two hits as a member of the Texas Rangers and scored the game-winning run in Arlington on Tuesday, a day after going hitless in his debut with the American League West club.
The South Korean outfielder went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, including the walk-off run in the bottom of the ninth, as the Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2. Choo also drew a walk and was hit by a pitch, reaching the base four times in five plate appearances.
The Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the top sixth before the Rangers got one back in the bottom of the frame. Choo's first run of the game tied the score 2-2 in the seventh, and Adrian Beltre's walk-off single brought Choo home from second in the bottom of the ninth at Globe Life Park.
Choo, who spent 2013 with the Cincinnati Reds, got his second straight start at the top of the Rangers' order. He was 0-for-4 with a walk on Monday, but led off the game on Tuesday with a single off the Phillies starter, A.J. Burnett.
Choo advanced to third after a single and a wild pitch but was stranded there when Alex Rios flew out to right.
Choo was hit by a pitch in his next at-bat in the bottom third.Last season with the Reds, Choo got plunked by 26 pitches, the most in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He moved to third following a single and a fielder's choice, but Rios lined out to second with two outs, once again failing to drive Choo home.
After flying out to left in the fifth, Choo got his second single of the night in the seventh, driving a 2-0 pitch by southpaw reliever Jacob Diekman to left field.
Elvis Andrus sacrificed him over to second, and Choo went to third on a Prince Fielder groundout. Then Beltre, the Rangers cleanup, launched a double to deep right to knot the score at 2-2.
Choo led off the bottom of the ninth and drew a four-pitch walk against another left-handed reliever, Mario Hollands. Andrus put down another sacrifice bunt to move Choo to second. Hollands walked Fielder, and then the new pitcher, B.J. Rosenberg, gave up the walk-off single to Beltre.
Choo said afterward he was pleased that he did what he was supposed to do as the team's leadoff man.
"We had a slugfest yesterday (14-10 victory for the Phillies), and it was more of a pitching duel today," Choo said. "I am glad I was able to contribute to the victory."
Facing Hollands, making his big league debut in the ninth, Choo said he didn't want to be too aggressive.
"His stuff wasn't that bad," Choo said. "But it wasn't an easy situation for him because he was facing the top of our lineup, and I think that's why he walked me."
Ron Washington, the Rangers' manager, noted that Choo "set the tone" in the ninth by being patient at the plate against Hollands.
Choo joined the Rangers as a free agent on a seven-year, US$130 million contract. Last year, he ranked second in the National League in on-base percentage (.423), walks (112) and runs scored (107), and enjoyed his third 20-20 season with 21 home runs and 20 steals.
The Rangers are hoping Choo can fill their need in the leadoff spot and in left field. (Yonhap)
