First starter Kim Ha-sung multi-hits and RBI

The demonstration game was a warm-up. San Diego Padres Kim Ha-sung (26, photo) made his debut with his first hit and RBI in the MLB’s first starting match.

Kim Ha-sung started as second baseman with 6th batter in the match against the Arizona Diamondbacks held at Petco Park in San Diego, USA on the 4th (Korean time). Ha-sung Kim recorded 2 hits, 1 RBI, and 1 strikeout in 4 at-bats. The season batting average was 0.400 (two hits in five at bats). San Diego, who won 7-0, sprinted for three straight victories in the opening.

San Diego coach Jace Tingler added Kim Ha-seong after Arizona kicked left-hander Caleb Smith as a starter, excluding Eric Hosmer, who swung 7 at-bats and 6 hits (2 home runs) in the opening 2nd row. Kim Ha-seong came out with a pinch in the opening game on the 2nd and struck out a missed swing, and did not participate in the game on the 3rd.

Ha-seong Kim met Smith at the first and second bases of two companies at the end of the first inning, leading 1-0. After just watching the two fast balls, the third fastball was fouled. I wasn’t fooled by the outside ball and the falling maneuver. At the full count, he pulled a fast ball at 92 miles per hour (about 148 km/h) on the 7th pitch and made a hit that went out in front of the left fielder. It was the first hit that MLB made in two at-bats. San Diego colleagues cheered at Ha-Sung Kim at Dougout, saying, “Catch the ball.” Kim Ha-seong came out as the leading batter at the end of the 3rd inning 2-0 and hit the left-handed hit again. Again, he did not miss a fastball and made a quick batted ball.

Ha-seong Kim hit only 0.176 in the demonstration game. I didn’t get used to the fast ball. Fortunately, as time passed, it seemed to get better. In the last six games, he got 4 hits and 5 walks. And the season has begun. Ha-seong Kim had a chance to start after three games, and he coped well with a fast ball and made a hit.

In the third at-bat, Kim Ha-seong was struck out by right-hander Riley Smith. I just sent a fastball outside at full count, but a strike decision came out. He turned back with an expression of resentment. The fourth sinker (strike decision) and the last ball seemed to be slightly out of the strike zone, but there was no help. He faced Smith on his fourth at-bat, and was backed down by foul fly. Kim Ha-seong was immediately replaced by pitcher Weathers in the 7th defense.

Ha-seong Kim still has a long way to go. Cronenworth, who will alternate between himself and second base, scored four hits in eight at-bats in three matches. Unlike Kim Ha-seong, whose two hits are both single hits, two doubles and one triple were included. The Smith who took the hit from Ha-sung Kim is a left-hander. In addition, the average fastball redemption last year was 92 miles, slightly below the MLB average. The task remains to face the right-hander who throws the ball faster.

Texas Rangers Yang Hyeon-jong (33) alived his hopes of entering the big leagues. Texas did not include Yang Hyun-jong in the opening entry (26 people) on the 2nd. Instead, he included him in the’Taxi Squad’. A taxi squad is a player who hasn’t entered the entry, but takes him to the game to be included in an emergency situation. This means that the club sees him as a major reserve resource. Together with the Texas squad, he fought the Kansas City Royals for three consecutive opening expeditions.

So, chances may come earlier than you think. Texas lost 11-14 and 4-11 respectively against Kansas City on the 2nd and 4th. Texas is the only team that has scored double digits in two consecutive games since the opening. In particular, as left-handed pitchers are showing poor performance, there may be opportunities for Yang Hyun-jong as well.

Meanwhile, Ryu Hyun-jin will start the Texas away game on the 8th. Ryu Hyun-jin scored 4 hits and 2 runs in 5 and 1/3 innings against the New York Yankees in the opening game on the 2nd. I stepped back without winning or losing. If Hyunjong Yang of Texas calls up earlier, the two could meet.

Reporter Kim Hyo-kyung [email protected]