It was a perfect performance itself. ‘Awesome Kim’ Ha-seong Kim (28, San Diego) led the team to victory with a come-from-behind final blow and even a fantasy throw. Most of all, he let out a sigh of relief after ending his slump in 16 at-bats.
Ha-seong Kim started as a 7th batter and 3rd baseman in the 2023 Major League away game against the Arizona Diamondbacks held at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on the 23rd (Korean time), and played an active part with 1 hit, 1 walk and 2 RBIs in 3 at-bats. Ha-sung Kim’s batting average for the season rose from 0.197 to 0.203 (14 hits in 69 at-bats).
Ha-seong Kim hit a crucial two-run left-handed hit in the sixth inning when the team was trailing 2-3 with two outs and a chance to load bases. In addition, in defense, he showed off his strong shoulder by making an accurate one-bound throw to first base even after메이저사이트 crossing the third base foul line in the sixth inning.
With this victory, San Diego marked 11-12 and was ranked 3rd in the National League West. On the other hand, Arizona in the same district marked 12-11 and kept its leading position in the district. The ride between San Diego and Arizona was narrowed to 1.5 games.
The starting pitcher for Arizona on this day was Merrill Kelly, who played an active role in the SK Wyverns (predecessor of SSG Landers) in the KBO League in the past. San Diego succeeded in attacking Kelly from the first inning and scored 2 points.
A situation where there is no one runner in the first inning. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a fastball (150.4km) on the third pitch against Kelly and fired a solo shot that went over the left wall. It was driven to an unfavorable ball count with two strikes, but it was Tatis Jr.’s first home run this season.
Tatis Jr. joined San Diego in 2019 to make his first big league career start. Tatis Jr., who had a 300 batting average (0.317) and 22 home runs from his first year at the club, signed a 14-year, $340 million (approximately 451.6 billion won) contract with San Diego ahead of the 2021 season.
However, Tatis Jr. had a motorcycle accident prior to the 2022 season and underwent surgery on his left wrist. Then, in August of last year, clostebol, a performance-enhancing substance, was detected in a doping test. Ultimately, Major League Baseball issued an 80-game suspension.
It has been about a year and seven months since the match against the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 1, 2021, that Tatis Jr. hit a home run. At that time, he played an active role with 42 home runs and 97 RBIs, becoming the National League (NL) home run king.
San Diego made it 2-0 on Tatis Jr.’s home run, Zander Bogarts’ walk and Matt Carpenter’s timely double.
Arizona immediately launched a counterattack in the bottom of the first inning. The San Diego starter was Joe Mosgrove, who started for the first time this season after recovering from a fractured left big toe. Arizona scored a right-handed hit from 1st, 1st and 3rd bases by Christian Walker.
Kim Ha-seong started as the lead batter in the top of the second inning, but after a 5-pitch match, he withdrew with a looking strikeout. Arizona ran away with two more runs in the third inning. After two outs, third Corbin Carroll went on base with a double. The follow-up walker fired a left-handed two-run gun to make it 3-2. Kim Ha-seong entered the plate as the lead batter in the 5th inning and picked up a walk. However, he was caught on a rundown during a double hit in front of first baseman by Lugned O’Door, who followed up, and was out. Still, Kim Ha-seong showed his best play by going back and forth between 1st and 2nd base to survive to the end even in the rundown situation.
6th inning followed. San Diego had a chance to safely load the bases with Tatis Jr.’s walk, Juan Soto’s right-handed hit, and Bogatz’s walk. This is where Kelly was gratified. Kelly (2 wins, 2 losses) that day was 5 innings, 3 hits (1 home run), 5 walks, 7 strikeouts and 4 runs. The changed pitcher is Kyle Nelson. As soon as he got on the mound, he struck out pinch hitter Nelson Cruz on a swing and then struck out Jake Cronenworth with three pitches. 2 out. The moment when I wondered if San Diego would just blow away the chance of getting the bases loaded safely.
The next batter, Kim Ha-seong, entered the plate. It was Kim Ha-seong, who had no hits in 16 consecutive at-bats before this at-bat. And in this important match, he demonstrated his clutch ability. Nelson’s first pitch slider (140km) dug into Kim Ha-seong’s body. Ha-seong Kim swung the bat without delay, and the ball exquisitely passed between the opponent’s third baseman and shortstop. In the meantime, the runners on 2nd and 3rd all hit home. 4-3 come-from-behind. Ha-seong Kim let out a sigh of relief at first base, and then held hands together and enjoyed the joy. At the same time, the victory of opponent starter Kelly flew away.
Kim Ha-seong got a hit in 6 games. It was Kim Ha-sung’s 5th and 6th RBIs of the season, which came out after 12 games since the game against Atlanta on the 10th. San Diego, which was on the rise, added another run in the 8th inning and put a wedge in the game. At second out and third base, Cronenworth hit a heavy hit at the right time. Ha-seong Kim then went to bat, but after trying a surprise bunt, he withdrew due to a catcher foul fly out.
Kim Ha-seong also showed an outstanding appearance in defense. In the bottom of the 6th inning, there is no runner. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a deep ball toward third base. It was Kim Ha-seong who caught this batted ball. Ha-seong Kim, who went out of the 3rd base foul line after the catch, sprayed the ball to 1st base in reverse action. Kim Ha-sung threw a one-bound ball and found first baseman Cronenworth’s mitt. It was a scene where Kim Ha-sung’s strong shoulder and quickness shined. Kim Ha-seong also played good defense in the 8th inning. He caught the batted ball from opponent lead batter Kettel Martell by stepping back with quick judgment. Then, he went around one lap and increased the out count with a stable throw. Kim Ha-seong made a big success in the karate and fired a flare for resurrection.