`Choo-Choo Train` Raises Hitting Average to .303

Cleveland Indians outfielder Choo Shin-soo had three hits yesterday, increasing his batting average to .303.

In an 8-3 win at the Kansas City Royals, Choo went 3-5 with two runs batted in as the fourth hitter and rightfielder. It was his 13th multi-hit game of the season and third in which he had three or more hits.

Choo struck out in the first inning, but had a hit to left against Royals starter Zack Greinke, bringing Grady Sizemore home from third.

In the fifth, Choo had a hit to right, followed by another in the seventh that brought Asdrubal Cabrera home from third.

The Korean has raised his batting average from .293 to .303 to rank 26th in the American League. Thirty hitters in the American League were hitting more than .300 as of yesterday.

Choo also ranked 19th in RBIs.

In Cincinnati, pitcher Park Chan-ho of the Philadelphia Phillies pitched one inning from the top of the eighth against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing two walks. The Phillies won 12-5.

wing@donga.com