The Korea Herald

Pirates' Kang Jung-ho, Rangers' Choo Shin-soo go yard

Jun 23, 2016

Kang Jung-ho of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Choo Shin-soo of the Texas Rangers both homered in the majors, while other South Koreans also picked up base hits. Kang hit his 10th home run of 2016 off San Francisco Giants' starter Jeff Samardzija in the bottom of the third at PNC Park in Pittsburgh Wednesday (local time). Kang's blast over the center field wall gave the Pirates a 6-1 cushion. (Yonhap)It was Kang's first home run since June 14 versus the New York Mets. The South Korean third baseman
Mariners' Lee Dae-ho knocks in 3 to end mini slump

Jun 17, 2016

Lee Dae-ho of the Seattle Mariners broke out of his mini slump with a big day at the plate.The South Korean slugger went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored, as the Mariners beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 Thursday (local time) at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Yonhap)Lee had struck out six times in his previous seven at-bats prior to this game.Batting fifth and playing first base, Lee knocked in Seattle's first run of the game in the top first with a single to center. It opened a
Struggling baseball club releases American pitcher

May 17, 2016

Struggling South Korean baseball club Samsung Lions released their American starter Collin Balester on Tuesday.The 29-year-old became the first foreign player to be ousted from the Korea Baseball Organization in 2016, after going 0-3 with a 8.03 ERA in three starts in his first season here. The right-hander gave up 20 hits and 12 walks in just 12 1/3 innings while striking out only five.He came down with a right elbow strain last month and had been rehabbing with the Lions' minor league club.For
Angels' Choi Ji-man headed to minors after clearing waivers

May 16, 2016

Struggling South Korean infielder Choi Ji-man has accepted an assignment to the minors in the Los Angeles Angels system after clearing waivers, reports said Monday.The Angels designated Choi for assignment last Wednesday to make room on their 40-man roster for pitcher Jhoulys Chacin, acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves. He will now resume his season with the Angels' Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City.Choi, 24, joined the Angels via the Rule 5 Draft in December, after signing a minor le
Injured Korean big leaguers enjoy solid rehab stints

May 16, 2016

Two injured South Korean major leaguers had solid rehab stints on Sunday in the United States as they eye a return to the big league lineup.Los Angeles Dodgers' left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin tossed two shutout innings in his first minor league rehab appearance. Ryu, who underwent a shoulder surgery last May and missed the entire 2015 season, pitched for the Dodgers' Single-A affiliate, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, where he allowed one hit and struck out two against the Inland Empire 66ers, the Single
Pirates' Kang Jung-ho hits 4th homer of season

May 16, 2016

Kang Jung-ho of the Pittsburgh Pirates belted his fourth home run of the season in a road win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday (local time).Batting sixth and playing third base, Kang launched a solo shot off Hector Rondon to left center with one out in the top of the ninth at Wrigley Field. The blast put the Bucs up 2-0, and they held on to win 2-1.The Cubs cut the deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the ninth against closer Mark Melancon but stranded a man at second to fall by a run.Kang
Cardinals' Oh Seung-hwan tosses 1 1/3 shutout innings vs. Dodgers

May 15, 2016

Oh Seung-hwan of the St. Louis Cardinals tossed 1 1/3 shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday (local time), further reinforcing his status as a reliable relief pitcher. Oh took the mound as the team's third pitcher in the top seventh at Dodger Stadium, with the Cardinals trailing 5-1. The South Korean righty collected two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings, lowering his ERA from 1.47 to 1.37. However, Oh saw his team getting beaten by the Dodgers 5-3 in the end. Oh has now allowed t
Twins' Park Byung-ho blasts two home runs

May 14, 2016

Park Byung-ho of the Minnesota Twins blasted two home runs against the Cleveland Indians on the road Friday (local time).The South Korean slugger ended a four-game hitless drought for his first two-homer game in the majors. He leads the Twins and all American League rookies with nine long balls this season.Batting fifth as a designated hitter at Progressive Field, Park led off the top second with a solo shot off Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin. It put the Twins up 2-0.The Indians tied things up wi
Back from injuries, Pirates' Kang Jung-ho hits ground running

May 12, 2016

The Pittsburgh Pirates' infielder Kang Jung-ho might have missed more than seven months of action with severe leg injuries, but you wouldn't know it by the way he's been swinging the bat only five games into his 2016 season.The South Korean third baseman belted his third home run of the season Wednesday (local time) in Cincinnnati against the Reds. It was part of his 2-for-3 night, as the Pirates rallied for a 5-4 victory.Kang only made his season debut last Friday, the Pirates' 29th game, and l
Pirates' Kang Jung-ho belts third homer of season

May 12, 2016

Kang Jung-ho of the Pittsburgh Pirates belted his third home run of the season against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday (local time), in just his fifth game back from serious leg injuries sustained last year.Batting sixth and playing third base, Kang hit a solo shot off right-hander Alfredo Simon in the top of the seventh at Great American Ball Park.Kang's blast cut the Reds' lead to 4-3, and the Pirates rallied to win 5-4 as Kang scored the decisive run in the top of the ninth.Kang went 2-for-3
Batting cleanup is 'dream come true' for emerging slugger

May 12, 2016

After five years in the baseball netherworld, Kim Jae-hwan of the Doosan Bears is finally enjoying a breakout season.The 27-year-old is batting cleanup for the best team in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), and leads the team with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs in just 67 at-bats across 22 games. The home run and RBI totals are already career highs for Kim, who never played in more than 52 games in any of his five previous seasons. Kim is also slugging at a .910 clip, as 15 of his 26 hits have go
Veteran southpaw bothered by overuse controversy

May 12, 2016

For the second straight Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season, the Hanwha Eagles' left-hander Kwon Hyuk finds himself on the fine line between dedication and overuse.A year after leading all KBO relievers with a career-high 112 innings, the 14-year pro is at it again. He leads all relievers with 19 appearances, and is second with 23 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.As he did last year, manager Kim Sung-keun, long notorious for working his pitchers into the ground, is using the left-hander in al
Struggling Korean infielder designated for assignment by Angels

May 12, 2016

Struggling South Korean infielder Choi Ji-man was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday (local time).The Angels said they moved him off their 40-man roster to make room for pitcher Jhoulys Chacin, recently acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves.Choi, 24, joined the Angels via the Rule 5 Draft in December, after signing a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles. He spent his first five seasons in the Seattle Mariners' system.Choi made his major league debut th
Two best KBO clubs going in opposite directions in May

May 9, 2016

With the first week of May in the books in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), the top two clubs in the standings are moving in opposite directions.The Doosan Bears, the defending champs, are in first place at 19-10-1 (wins-losses-ties), but they're in the midst of a four-game losing streak. They were swept by the Lotte Giants at home over the weekend, starting the three-game set with back-to-back shutout losses and ending it with a 17-11 drubbing.Breathing down the Bears' neck are the NC Din
Kang Jung-ho homers twice in season debut for Pirates

May 7, 2016

Kang Jung-ho of the Pittsburgh Pirates homered twice in his season debut Friday (local time), punctuating a return from devastating knee injuries he suffered last fall.Kang blasted a two-run shot to right field off Tyler Lyons of the St. Louis Cardinals in the top of the sixth at Busch Stadium, putting the Pirates up 3-0.Pittsburgh Pirates' Kang Jung-ho watches his two-run home run during the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals May 6, in St. Louis. (Yonhap)Then with the Pirates nursing