ARLINGTON, Texas (Yonhap) ― Choo Shin-soo picked up his first two hits as a member of the Texas Rangers and scored the game-winning run in Arlington, Texas, 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 base four times in five plate appearances.
The Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the 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 Phillies starter A.J. Burnett.
Texas Rangers outfielder Choo Shin-soo singles in the first inning on Tuesday. (AP-Yonhap)
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 third.
Last season with the Reds, Choo got plunked by 26 pitches, the most in Major League Baseball.
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.
Puig keys Dodgers’ win
SAN DIEGO (AP) ― It’s been a bumpy road for the Los Angeles Dodgers since they returned stateside after beginning the season with two wins against Arizona in Australia.
Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw is expected to miss the bulk of April with a swollen muscle in his left upper back, and now reliever Brian Wilson will be placed on the disabled list with what manager Don Mattingly said is nerve irritation in his right elbow.
The Dodgers did manage to beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Tuesday after Kenley Jansen escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning. Yasiel Puig hit a towering drive for a two-run homer and Zack Greinke threw five strong innings to win his season debut.
Mattingly said Wilson had an MRI on Monday that showed nerve irritation. Mattingly said there was no sign of ligament damage. Wilson had reconstructive surgery in April 2012.
Houston 6, NY Yankees 2
Miami 4, Colorado 3
Toronto 4, Tampa Bay 2
Atlanta 5, Milwaukee 2
Arizona 5, San Francisco 4
Seattle 8, LA Angels 3
Cleveland at Oakland ppd.
