Rangers' Choo Shin-soo belts 12th homer of season, shines on defense

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- Choo Shin-soo of the Texas Rangers has blasted his 12th home run of the season, while also making a fine defensive play in the team's victory.

Batting second and playing right field, Choo hit a three-run home run and recorded his third outfield assist at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sunday (local time), as the Rangers prevailed 7-6.

With the Rangers leading 3-0 with two outs in the second, Choo doubled that lead with a three-run home run to the second deck in right field. On a 0-2 count, Choo crushed a hanging slider by Yankees starter Michael Pineda for his first home run since last Wednesday.

It was the only hit of the game in three at-bats for Choo, who is now batting .257.

With a dozen home runs in 66 games so far, Choo is one shy of matching his career high for long balls in the first half.

In 2009, 2010 and 2013, Choo had 13 home runs each before the All-Star break. In those three years, Choo ended up with 20, 22 and 21 home runs, respectively. Choo's career high in home runs for a full season is 22, set in 2010 and matched in 2015.

Choo also made a potential game-saving play on defense in the seventh inning.

The Rangers were nursing a 7-5 lead with two outs and men at first and second, when Didi Gregorius hit a single to right. As Aaron Judge scored from second on the hit, Choo fielded the ball and fired a one-hopper to third baseman Adrian Beltre to cut down Gary Sanchez going from first to third.

It was the final out of the inning, and the Rangers held on for the nervy, one-run victory.

jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)