Choo’s Bat Heating Up for Cleveland

For the third time this season, Choo Shin-soo (24, Cleveland Indians) had two hits in a game.

Playing against the Detroit Tigers on August 7 as a right fielder and the sixth batter, Choo had two hits in four at-bats. His batting average may be a mere 0.257, but he has been hitting 0.333 (eight games, eight hits in 24 at-bats) since he was traded from Seattle.

Choo hit a single in the sixth inning when the Indians were trailing 0-1. He hit another single in the eighth inning and attempted to steal a base but was caught by Detroit’s pitcher Fernando Rodney in between bases.

The Indians lost the game 0-1, allowing the Tigers to sweep the weekend games.

Cleveland manager Eric Wedge showed his trust in Choo by putting him in the starting roster for two consecutive days although the starting pitchers for both games were left-handers.

Meanwhile Park Chan-ho (33, San Diego Padres), who had been on disabled list (DL) due to a stomach ailment, may return to the mound this weekend.

Padres’ manager Bruce Bochy revealed through the Padres’ website that Park is expected to start in an away game against the Houston Astros on August 12.

Park returned to San Diego after complaining of stomach pains during one of the team’s away games in Colorado, and he is recuperating after receiving emergency blood transfusion. Park is currently 7-6 with an ERA of 4.63.

why@donga.com