Choi Ji-man picks up a run in ALCS debut

Choi Ji-man of the Tampa Bay Rays made his American League Championship Series debut, during Game 2 against the Houston Astros at Petco Park in San Diego on Monday.

Having been benched in Game 1, Choi was assigned as a cleanup hitter and first baseman in Game 2 against the Astros. With four at-bats, Choi struck out three times and failed to pick up a hit, but he did manage to help the team by adding a run at the bottom of the first inning after getting on base following a mistake by the Astros' defense.

Along with the run, Choi also helped the Rays in defense.

The Rays picked up a 4-2 victory in Game 2. As they also won Game 1, 2-1 against the Astros, the Rays led the American League Championship Series 2-0.

Since there’s no break in the best-of-seven series, Game 3 will continue at Petco Park on Tuesday, local time, or 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday in Korea.

The 2020 major league postseason started out with three Korean major leaguers — Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals and Choi — but both of the pitchers were eliminated in the inaugural Wild Card Series.

Last season, the Rays advanced to the Division League Series. This is Choi's first time playing in the American League Championship Series.

BY KANG YOO-RIM [kang.yoorim@joongang.co.kr]