Rangers' Choo extends hitting streak; Pirates' Kang slow out of gate in August

SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean outfielder Choo Shin-soo of the Texas Rangers extended his hitting streak to seven games on Tuesday at home.

Choo went 1-for-4 with a double against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, and is batting .239 on the season.

The Rangers beat the American League West division-leading Astros 4-3 to even their record at 53-53.

Choo hit a liner in the fourth inning that went over the head of right fielder Colby Rasmus. After apparently misjudging the flight of the ball, Rasmus tried to make a jumping catch, and the play was initially ruled an error. The official scorer later changed it to a double, keeping Choo's streak alive.

It was his 20th double of the season. He's 3-for-10 so far in August, and batting .364 since the All-Star break.

Over in the National League, Pittsburgh Pirates' shortstop Kang Jung-ho went 0-for-3 against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, as his average dropped to .291.

The NL Rookie of the Month for July, Kang has gone 1-for-11 in three August games.

Cubs' starter Jake Arrieta stifled the Pirates to just two hits in seven innings in the Cubs' 5-0 victory.

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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