Supersonic’ Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres) showed off his versatility and contributed to the team’s comeback win.
Ha-seong Kim started as the first hitter and second baseman in the 2023 Major League Baseball away game against the Los Angeles Dodgers held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA on the 12th (Korean time) and recorded 1 hit in 4 at-bats, 1 RBI, 1 run, and 1 stolen base. The season batting average fell slightly from 0.271 to 0.270.먹튀검증
Ha-seong Kim stirred the ground from the first at-bat. Kim Ha-seong, who appeared as the leadoff hitter in the top of the first inning, hit a low cutter on the third pitch against Dodgers starter Gavin Stone in a 2-0 advantageous situation and recorded a hit that missed the 3-run period. Kim Ha-seong, who went out on the field, broke through the checks and even succeeded in stealing his 35th base of the season.
With this stolen base, Ha-seong Kim recorded his 6th stolen base in September alone without a single failure. In addition, he succeeded in stealing 7 consecutive bases, starting with his 29th steal of the season on August 26th.
Fernando Tatis Jr. struck out on a swing with no outs and a chance to score on second base, but the next batter, Juan Soto, hit a timely hit to left, allowing Ha-seong Kim to score the go-ahead run.
In the top of the 3rd inning when San Diego was down 1-2, Kim Ha-seong, who was hit for the second time with a chance to go on second and third base with no outs, hit Stone’s second pitch and hit a missed ball toward the second baseman. Dodgers second baseman Mookie Betts judged that the home game was too late, so he posted an out at first base, and the runner on third base scored, marking Ha-seong Kim’s 58th RBI of the season.
Kim Ha-seong, who came to bat for the third time in the top of the 5th inning when San Diego was down 4-7 with one out and no runner on, swung his bat without hesitation when Stone’s first pitch sinker was centered, but was retired by a grounder to second base.
Ha-seong Kim took the opportunity to increase his RBI once again in his fourth at-bat. Ha-seong Kim faced Dodgers left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson on second and third bases with two outs and two outs in the top of the sixth inning when San Diego tied the score at 7-7. Kim Ha-seong, who was driven to a ball count of 0-2, was unable to capitalize on the chance by swinging in vain at Ferguson’s high fastball and striking out three pitches.
In the top of the 9th inning with the score tied at 7-7, leadoff hitter Trent Grisham advanced to second base due to an error by the Dodgers outfield, and Ha-seong Kim entered the fifth at-bat. Ha-seong Kim completed the operation by sending Grisham to third base with a clean sacrifice bunt. In San Diego’s ensuing attack, Tatis hit a ball toward the pitcher, but Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips, conscious of the runner on third base, missed the ball, resulting in an infield hit, with one out and runners on first and third base. In the end, the next batter, Soto, hit a come-from-behind three-run home run, and San Diego took the lead at 10-7. After two outs, Xander Bogaerts hit a solo home run, bringing the score to 11-7.
San Diego’s closer Josh Hader brought on a crisis with a hit and walk after one out. Hader seemed to take a breather by striking out Max Muncy, but he gave up a run after hitting an RBI single from JD Martinez. After giving up a walk to Kike Hernández, Hader was on the verge of having the bases loaded with two outs, but he hit Chris Taylor with a fly ball to shortstop to secure an 11-8 victory.
Meanwhile, San Diego hit 17 home runs with 17 regular league games remaining. Ha-seong Kim, who has 35 stolen bases, has 20 home runs and 40 stolen bases, with 3 home runs and 5 stolen bases remaining. If he records 20-40, he will become the first major leaguer from Asia to record such a record. In addition, if he succeeds in stealing 40 bases, he will become the second Asian major leaguer to reach the 40-steal mark, following ‘legend’ Ichiro Suzuki (5 times in total).
