Kia Tigers slugger Choi Hee-seop is dormant bat, finally awoke as choi blasted his 15th homer of the season, Sunday. / Korea Times File |
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
Kia Tigers slugger Choi Hee-seop ended his long home run drought Sunday as the Tigers beat the Lotte Giants 7-4.
The former major leaguer hit his 15th homer in the first inning off Giants starter Kim il-yeop at the Sajik Stadium, Busan.
It was Choi's first home run in 29 days, since the 30-year-old slugger's three-run shot on May 23 against the Heroes.
Despite the drought, the left-hander moves into a tie for third in the home run race with Hanwha Eagles power hitter Kim Tae-wan. Heroes slugger Cliff Brumbaugh holds top spot with 21 dingers and LG Twins import Roberto Petagine has 18.
The Tigers star hitter led the team's offence with seven homers in each of April and May, but opposing pitchers seemed to figure him out after that.
The first baseman, who recorded a .321 batting average in April, hit just .260 in May and has hit just .152 through 16 games in June.
However, Choi still wants to be the home run champion at season's end and thinks Sunday's blast could be the turning point.
``When I was struggling in the slump, it was really hard. I am hoping that this home run will help me turn things around and I will find my old form,'' Choi said.
After the big Tiger got caught in a deep swamp, some professional managers said it's hard for local players to compete with the imports in the home run race.
But, Choi is proving he is one of the few Korean players who can compete with the imports. World Baseball Classic (WBC) slugger star Kim Tae-kyun of the Eagles has struggled since suffering a stroke on April 26. Kim has missed most games since then while recovering.
Against the Giants, the Tigers scored seven runs on seven hits, including two home runs, and maintain third place in the league standings.
yc@koreatimes.co.kr
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