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Published: 12 Sep. 2016, 18:42

BASEBALL

Kang Jung-ho continues his relentless batting success

Kang Jung-ho of the Pittsburgh Pirates had another multi-hit game on Sunday in Pittsburgh for the second straight game, playing third baseman and batting fourth to go 2-for-3. He was the only Pirate of the day that tallied two hits. In the seven games he’s played in September since returning to the big league, Kang has batted .522 with four home runs and 10 runs batted in.

During the Pirates’ 0-8 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Kang went to his first at-bat at the bottom of the first inning but flied out to second base. But in the third inning, he hit a single on a ground ball to claim his first hit of the day. In the fifth inning, with two runners on base, Kang had another single and loaded the bases but failed to score as two batters after him struck out.

Elsewhere in the majors, Lee Dae-ho of the Seattle Mariners went into Sunday’s game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum, replacing Adam Lind at the bottom of the fifth.

On Sunday, with righty Raul Alcantara starting for the Athletics, Lee stayed in the dugout. But Lind, who platoons with Lee, hurt his finger in the middle of the game and Lee stepped in. At the top of the sixth with the game tied 2-2, Lee cranked out a double at his first at-bat of the game, delivering a sharp drive to left field. But the Mariners already had two outs by then, and when Mike Zunino popped out a play later, Lee had to leave the stadium without driving home a run.

After having spent some time down in the minors for a tune-up, Lee has been showing decent batting form, batting .462 so far in September. The Mariners defeated the Athletics 3-2.

By Choi Hyung-jo

FOOTBALL

Diego Costa fights to bring Chelsea out chin to chin

SWANSEA, Wales - Two goals, a yellow card, accused of diving and repeatedly kicked, shoved and goaded.Just a typical match for Diego Costa.

The Spain striker capped a bustling display by scoring from an 81st-minute overhead kick to earn Chelsea a 2-2 draw at Swansea in the English Premier League on Sunday.

Costa, who also put Chelsea ahead at Liberty Stadium, is looking back to his best this season with four goals from four games, having struggled for form for much of last season. He is proving a nightmare to handle for defenders - as Swansea center backs Jordi Amat and Federico Fernandez would attest.

They constantly fouled the hot-headed Costa, who stood up to the physical challenge and gave it back in return, and Amat in particular was fortunate not to get sent off for repeat fouling in a niggly but enthralling game.

The result leaves Manchester City as the only team with a 100 percent record after four games. Chelsea is in second on 10 points.

AP