Choo Gets Three Hits, Steals Three Bases In a Game

Choo Shin-soo (25), playing for the Cleveland Indians’ Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons, had multiple hits in a game once again, extending his streak to six games.

Choo hit third as the designated hitter in a match on May 31 against the Pittsburgh Pirates’ affiliate Indianapolis Indians, and produced three hits, two RBIs and two scores in five at bats. Moreover, he stole three bases to give him seven on the season. His batting average surged from .246 to .261.

After flying out in his first turn at the plate, he had an infield hit in the third inning when there was a runner at second with no out, stole a base, and eventually came around to score. In the fourth inning, with a runner at second and one out, he hit a single and stole second base again. In the sixth inning, with runners at second and third and one out, he made a timely hit to let both runners score. Again, he stole the second, and added another score. He was put out in his last at bat with a groundball to first base. Thanks to Choo, Buffalo won the game 11-6.

Choo has been included on Team Korea’s preliminary roster of 55 for the 24th Asia Baseball Championships scheduled for November in Taiwan, which will also be a qualifying round for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is determined to prove his worth this time, since he had a hard time after being excluded from the national team last year. Kim Jae-bak, head coach for the Doha Asian Games last year, refused to include him, saying, “His skills have yet to be qualified.”

Meanwhile, Daisuke Matsuzaka (Boston Red Sox) saw his six-game winning streak end after suffering his third loss of the season. In a match against the Cleveland Indians, the Japanese pitcher threw for 5 2/3 innings, allowing 12 hits and six runs. Ever since the game he had against Toronto on April 18, he has had six wins in a row in the next seven games. His seasonal stats are now seven wins, three losses and an ERA of 4.83. Boston lost, 4-8, putting an end to the team’s five-game winning streak.

Seattle Mariner Ichiro Suzuki has hit in 23 straight games, tying his personal record. In a match against the Los Angeles Angels, he had an RBI single with the bases loaded in the fourth inning in his third at bat. He has produced hits in every game since Seattle’s match against the New York Yankees on May 8. Ichiro hit in 23 successive games in 2001, his debut season in the Major Leagues.

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