Choice home run makes history

ARLINGTON -- Michael Choice made Rangers history when he hit his first Major League home run as a pinch-hitter on Saturday night against the Astros. Choice is the first Rangers player to ever hit his first Major League home run in a pinch-hit at-bat.

The last player in franchise history to do it was Jeff Burroughs with the Senators on Aug. 2, 1971 off of Tigers pitcher Ron Perranoski at Tiger Stadium. Choice hit his home run in the ninth inning during the Rangers 6-5 loss to the Astros on Saturday night.

"It's cool," Choice said. "You try to think, just keep hitting and the first one will come. To say that I've done it is cool."

Choice got the baseball back from a fan in the right-field bleachers in exchange of an autographed bat and ball. The bat he used to hit the home run will also be saved.

"It's back at the house," Choice said. "That bat is retired. I'll keep it with my own personal memorabilia."