No. 6 Choo Finally Hits After Six Games

Choo Shin-soo of the Cleveland Indians, nicked as "Choo Choo Train," broke his “no hit” game streak in six games.

In the away match against the Detroit Tigers, Choo appeared as the sixth batter and right fielder at Comerica Park. He made one hit in five at bat and drove in one run yesterday. His batting average slightly fell from 0.237 to 0.235.

In the first inning when Cleveland beat Detroit 2-0 and one base was filled with two out, Choo hit the fifth ball of Detroit’s starting pitcher Eddie Bonine. It was Choo’s timely hit that broke his “no hit” game streak since the match against the Chicago White Sox on July 2. Also, he recorded his 17th run of the season.

However, he hit a fly ball in the fourth inning, was struck out in the fifth inning, hit another fly ball in the seventh inning, and his ball was caught by the defensive player in the ninth inning, failing to make another hit.

Even though the Indians seemed to win a landslide victory while beating the Tigers 6-1 until the sixth inning, its pitcher allowed five points in the seventh. Finally, Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers hit a game-winning, two-run homer in the ninth to give Detroit an 8-6 victory.

The Indians have lost 10 straight games, recording 37 victories and 53 defeats, staying at the bottom in the American League Central.

Baek Cha-seung, 28, of the San Diego Padres lost his fifth game of the season.

In the match against the Florida Marlins, Padres’ starting pitcher Baek allowed six hits including two home runs and three points. Baek fell to 2-5 and his ERA rose from 4.54 to 4.97.

Baek threw 81 pitches with 51 of them being strikes, one four balls, and three strike-outs.

After recording no losing point in the first and second innings, Baek allowed Hanley Ramirez to hit a leadoff solo home run in the third inning and Mike Jacobs to hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning. When the Padres were beaten by the Marlins 0-3, Baek was replaced in the fifth inning.

Baek revealed his weakness while allowing the Marlins’ representative batter Ramirez to make three hits in three at bat (including one home run). At the match, the Marlins beat the Padres 5-2. The Padres recorded 36 victories and 56 defeats, staying at the bottom in the American League West.

hic@donga.com