Choo, Baek Off to Solid Start in Major League
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korean outfielder Choo Shin-soo of the Cleveland Indians hit a two-run double Monday in his first Major League game this season while pitcher Baek Cha-seung of the Seattle Mariners recorded a no decision despite an early solid performance.
Both were promoted to the big league on Sunday.
Facing the Minnesota Twins at Metro Dome, Choo went 1-for-5 with two RBIs to help his team defeat last season's AL Central League champion 7-3 in extra innings.
With a 5-3 score in the top of the 12th, Choo stepped up to bat with the bases loaded.
The batter, who had been held hitless with one walk in the previous five at-bats, hit a double off reliever Joe Nathan, who had 36 saves last year, to extend the lead to 7-3.
In the second inning, the 24-year-old outfielder struck out against Carlos Silva and grounded out at his second attempt.
He walked in the sixth against lefty Glen Perkins but was caught out in stealing second base. In the eighth and 10th, he struck out again.
Choo's batting is average .200.
At Arlington Park in Texas, Baek got off to a strong start against the Texas Rangers through the third inning, holding the Rangers to one hit, but in the fourth yielded a two-run homer to third baseman Hank Blalock.
In the next inning, the 26-year-old hurler gave up four hits consecutively to concede a 4-4 tie and was replaced by reliever Brandon Morrow.
Seattle won the game 5-4.
Outfielder Choo started Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons after failing to make the Indians roster in the spring camp but due to infielder Andy Marte's injury, the South Korean was called up to the big league.
The 24-year-old South Korean, the second Korean fielder after former Tampa Bay Devil Ray Choi Hee-seop, however, had a solid performance in the minors. At one time his batting average went over .400 and he had a seven-game hitting streak.
Choo, who is from Pusan, South Kyongsang Province, has a batting average of .294 (9-for-28).
``My condition is not 100% right now but I can play in the field. I will make the most of this chance not to be sent to the Minor Leagues again,'' Choo said after his promotion.
As the Mariners placed their ace Felix Fernandez on the 15-day disabled list due to a right elbow injury, Baek took his spot.
The pitcher, who was 4-1 with a 3.67 ERA last year with Seattle, started three games for the Tacoma Rainiers in the minors and won one game with a 2.55 ERA.