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Tsung-Che Cheng Reacts To Getting First Career Hit In Red Sox's Debut
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- Tsung-Che Cheng Reacts To Getting First Career Hit In Red Sox's Debut
Tsung-Che Cheng Reacts To Getting First Career Hit In Red Sox's Debut originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Boston Red Sox placed Marcelo Mayer on the injured list on Friday and recalled infielder Tsung-Che Cheng to replace him.
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The Red Sox claimed Cheng off waivers on Feb. 6 after he was designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals . He was designated for assignment four times last offseason, but found a home in the Red Sox's organization. Cheng was once the No. 9 prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and made his MLB debut last season. He went hitless in the three MLB games he played.
However, he is hitless no more. Making his Red Sox debut and starting at shortstop, he picked up his first MLB hit. He hit a double to center field in the bottom of the fourth inning. He picked up his first RBI in the second inning on a force out that scored Caleb Durbin . He also walked and was caught stealing in the sixth inning.
"I waited for a year," Cheng said of his first hit, per MassLive's Christopher Smith .
Cheng has had a long road back to the big leagues after a disappointing, but short, first stint. He played in the World Baseball Classic this offseason and showed some flashes of the player the Red Sox hoped he could become. He felt like he was ready for the call-up.
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"I was kind of surprised but I was ready," Cheng said. "When I was in Triple A, I was ready to come here."
Cheng also told Smith that he thinks he will give the ball from his first MLB hit to his parents. The Red Sox will need him to rack up plenty more hits while Marcelo Mayer is out if they want to get back into the postseason picture.
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