Seo Loses Duel With Cy Young Winner

Seo Jae-weong (29, Tampa Bay Devils) pitched seven innings and allowed two runs as he failed to add to his record and his opposite pitcher Roy Halladay (29, Toronto Blue Jays) became the first pitcher to earn 15 wins this season.

Seo went neck and neck with Halladay, a Cy Young award winner in 2003, but failed to earn his fourth win as Tampa Bay struggled at the plate to support Seo.

Seo pitched well while giving up only two runs on 10 hits over seven innings in a home match against Toronto yesterday. Toronto is now the strongest in hitting in the major leagues with a team batting average of .287.

As has been the case with Seo, Tampa’s batters were weak this time as well. Seo has made three straight quality starts (under three earned runs over six innings) in August including the one yesterday. Seo’s ERA is only 1.33, allowing just four runs (three earned runs) during 20 and 2/3 innings. However, Tampa Bay’s hitters only made five runs during three games, including two runs yesterday.

The only thing Seo could find comfort from the game was that he threw 117 balls, his highest of the season. Seo’s ERA fell from 5.23 to 5.08 and his record for the season remained unchanged at three wins and nine losses.

Seo’s misfortune started with Lyle Overbay. Leading 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth with one out, Seo allowed four straight hits starting with Lyle Overbay and Overbay again made a two-base hit in the bottom of fifth with two outs and runner on third, which tied the score.

Seo was replaced with Brian Meadows in the bottom of eight by a score of 2-2 and Tampa Bay lost seven in a row by a final score of 3-4.

Meanwhile, Choo Shin-soo (24, Cleveland Indians) struck out as a pinch hitter in the top of ninth with two outs and runner on first in an away game against Minnesota. Cleveland lost the game by a final score of 1-4, finishing its six consecutive wins with a loss.