Tulsa Driller Tsao to become first Taiwanese pitcher in major leagues

<br>LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Colorado's Chin-hui Tsao is to start for Colorado against Milwaukee on Friday night and become the first pitcher from Taiwan in the major leagues. <br><br>Tsao, 22, was called

Wednesday, July 23rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Colorado's Chin-hui Tsao is to start for Colorado against Milwaukee on Friday night and become the first pitcher from Taiwan in the major leagues.

Tsao, 22, was called up from Double-A Tulsa on Tuesday after Denny Neagle was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury.

Tsao is 11-4 with a 2.46 ERA while holding Texas League hitters to a .214 average. He has a league-high 125 strikeouts.

``Maybe the right time is now. He's a kid who has shown special skills who you have to continue to challenge,'' Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. ``And there's not a higher challenge available.''

Tsao joined the Rockies organization in 1999.

Dodgers outfielder Chin-Feng Chen became the first major league player from Taiwan last September when he made his debut at Coors Field against the Rockies.