Park Byung-ho posts 1st hit, 1st RBI in Major League

Park Byung-ho with the Minnesota Twins had his first hit and first RBI on Thursday at an exhibition game in the U.S. Major League Baseball.

With one out and a runner on the second base in the bottom of second inning in a game against the Boston Red Sox, Park swung on the first pitch by Boston’s starting pitcher Rick Pocello to garner a hit toward the right, enabling the runner Miguel Sano to score. Park was out with a grounder to the shortstop in the fourth inning and a fly ball to the center fielder in the sixth. After scoring a strikeout with a ball count in his disfavor on Wednesday, Park tried with the first pitches in all of his three times at bat on the day. “I proactively swung on the first pitches because I thought I could hit. Obviously, pitches by Major League pitchers were faster than those in Korea,” Park said.

“He apparently swung on first pitches because they were good. He played the game comfortably, and I enjoyed watching his batting. He apparently gained confidence after hitting a timely hit. I had talks with Park prior to the game," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "He told me that he does not feel pressure, and that he is satisfied with his preparation. He will not go to Bradenton (visit to Pittsburgh) tomorrow. I know he has his friend (Kang Jung-ho) there, but he has something to prepare here.”