Rays' Choi Ji-man homers in win over Yankees

All News 07:37 May 30, 2022

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- Choi Ji-man of the Tampa Bay Rays has homered for the fourth time this season.

Choi delivered a game-tying solo shot against the New York Yankees in the bottom of the second inning, as the Rays went on to prevail 4-2 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sunday (local time).

The opposite field blast, off starter Luis Severino, was Choi's fourth home run of 2022.

In this Associated Press photo, Choi Ji-man of the Tampa Bay Rays (R) celebrates with teammate Manuel Margot after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the bottom of the second inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 29, 2022. (Yonhap)

It was also Choi's only hit of the game. He is now batting .260/.374/.458 for the season with 20 RBIs.

The South Korean infielder got the start as the designated hitter and batted cleanup. And he went deep against Severino in his first time up to lead off the second inning, driving a 95.7 mph fastball over the left field wall to knot the score at 1-1.

Severino got the better of Choi in the fourth inning, when Choi struck out swinging on a changeup.

In this Getty Images photo, Choi Ji-man of the Tampa Bay Rays (R) celebrates with teammate Brett Phillips after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the bottom of the second inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 29, 2022. (Yonhap)

Choi drew a walk against Severino in the seventh inning, and came around to score to make it 4-1 later in the inning when reliever Ron Marinaccio hit Mike Zunino with the bases loaded.

Choi grounded out to third for the final out of the eighth inning in his fourth trip to the plate.

Choi missed about 10 days of action from late April to early May with an elbow injury but is still ranked second on the Rays with 20 RBIs and 18 walks.