5 runs in the 1st, homer in the 7th, loss in the 9th

A five-run lead in the first and a seventh-inning homer by Choo Shin-soo weren’t enough to keep the Cleveland Indians in the winners’ column yesterday, as they chalked up an 8-9 loss in an away game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Choo, batting third in the lineup, smashed home a solo off an outside changeup at the top of the inning, bringing his batting average up to .143 (three hits in 21 at-bats) with a one-for-three effort at the plate.

The 27-year-old right fielder’s lone hit of the game came in the seventh inning against Tigers relief pitcher Eddie Bonine, with the Indians up 7-3. It was Choo’s first RBI of the season, and he also showed off strong fielding, throwing out Don Kelly at the plate to end the third inning.

Cleveland earned six runs off Detroit’s ace pitcher Justin Verlander, but the Indians couldn’t hold onto the cushy lead. The Tigers batted in eight runs in the back half of the game, with three in the ninth. The winning run came off closer Chris Perez’s wild pitch.

With the impressive comeback, Detroit became only the second team since 1986 to win a game while stranding at least 18 runners on base.

Choo last season became the only Asian player in the history of Major League Baseball to join the 20-20 club by posting a .300 ERA, 20 home runs, 21 steals and 86 RBI.

By Jason Kim [jason@joongang.co.kr]