Park Wins Eighth Game of Year, 100th of Career, with 94 MPH Fastball

Park Chan-ho, 32, of the Texas Rangers won his eighth victory this season (against two losses) and one hundredth career win in Safeco Field, the “field of promise,” with a 151 km/h (94 mph) fastball.

Park notched six strikeouts and allowed only five hits, two walks, and two runs in seven innings against Seattle on Saturday, leading his team’s 6-2 victory. Park’s ERA dropped from 5.75 to 5.50.

Meanwhile, the highly anticipated four encounters with Ichiro Suzuki resulted in a win for Suzuki, who went two for three with a walk, a double, and a triple.

Park’s victory pushed his track record in Safeco Field to four wins and a loss with an ERA of 1.54. Park’s strong outings in his last two games have also dampened criticism that had recently reared its head.

The Dallas Morning News of Texas said Park is the one reliable pitcher on the team.

Park goes for his ninth victory, his personal record in the first half of the season, on July 7 against the Boston Red Sox. Park will pitch against Boston’s Matt Clement.