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Rays’ Choi Ji-man reaches double digits in homers for 1st time

September 18, 2018

SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Yonhap) — Tampa Bay Rays’ South Korean designated hitter Choi Ji-man has reached double figures in home runs for the first time in his career, going deep with his idol in the opposite dugout.

Choi launched a solo home run off Adrian Sampson of the Texas Rangers in the top of the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on Monday (local time), putting the Rays ahead 2-0. They went on to beat the Rangers 3-0.

It was Choi’s 10th home run of the season. The long-time minor leaguer’s previous career high was five in 2016.

The homer came with South Korean veteran Choo Shin-soo in action for the Rangers as their DH. Choi, 27, has said he looks up to the 36-year-old Choo, who has been a big league regular for a decade.

Choi also drove in the Rays’ first run of the game with a single in the top of the first inning.

For the day, Choi went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a pair of RBIs, while Choo was held hitless in three at-bats and drew a walk.

Choi has been thriving as a Ray since arriving in a midseason trade from the Milwaukee Brewers. He has eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 43 games with Tampa Bay.

In this Associated Press photo, Choi Ji-man of the Tampa Bay Rays watches the flight of his solo home run against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 17, 2018. (Yonhap)