Shin-Soo Choo’s slump reaches new stage of desperation in Sunday’s game against Indians

Jun 8, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Shin-Soo Choo (17) hits a fly ball in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON – Shin-Soo Choo’s deepening slump reached a new stage in the 3-2 loss to Cleveland when he tried to bunt for a hit to start the eighth inning.

Choo grounded out and is hitting .164 with a .303 on-base percentage in his last 66 plate appearances. He has only two extra-base hits is 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position during that span.

Choo was unavailable for comment after the loss. Manager Ron Washington said he hopes Choo is not letting the shuttling before leadoff and the third spot in the order affect his game. Choo is hitting .241 with a .303 on-base percentage for 33 plate appearances as the No. 3 hitter.

“I told him to stay Choo,” Washington said.

Left-hander Joe Saunders allowed nine baserunners but only one run in the first five innings against Cleveland. That included four runners and the lone run in the fifth inning.

The strain of the constant escape acts figured in Washington’s decision to bring on the bullpen in the sixth inning.

The Indians put two runners on with one out for Ryan Raburn, the No. 8 hitter. Raburn is 1 for 17 lifetime against Saunders, but Washington went to right-hander Shawn Tolleson.

Raburn broke at tie at one with a single, and former Ranger David Murphy added a sacrifice fly against Tolleson.

“It looked like the inning before may have gotten to [Saunders] a little bit,” Washington said. “I wasn’t going to take a chance on Raburn hitting a ball out of the park, but he still got a hit.”

Saunders said that like all starting pitchers, he wants to stay in the game but respects the manager’s authority to make the decision.

This was Saunders’ third start since returning from the disabled list. He has yet to go beyond the sixth inning.

“I feel good, and that’s the main thing,” Saunders said. “Now, it’s a matter of getting deeper into the ballgame to save the bullpen. That’s the goal from here on out, and no more excuses.”