Super Sonic’ Kim Ha-sung (28, San Diego Padres) showed off his versatility and contributed to the team’s come-from-behind victory.
Kim Ha-sung started as the first batter and second baseman in an away game against the LA Dodgers in the 2023 Major League Baseball at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on the 12th (Korea Standard Time) and recorded one hit, one RBI, and one stolen base in four at-bats. The batting average for the season dropped slightly from 0.271 to 0.270.안전놀이터
From his first at-bat, Kim Ha-sung stirred the ground. Kim Ha-sung, who played as the leadoff hitter in the top of the first inning, hit a low cutter for the third pitch in an advantageous situation with a ball count of 2-0 against Dodgers starter Gavin Stone and recorded a hit that escaped the 3-space. Kim Ha-sung, who went on the mound, succeeded in stealing his 35th stolen base of the season through checks.
With this steal, Kim Ha-sung recorded his sixth steal without a single failure in September alone. In addition, he succeeded in stealing seven consecutive bases from his 29th stolen base of the season on August 26.
Fernando Tatis Jr. struck out with a swing and miss in the chance to score second base with no outs, but the next batter Juan Soto hit a timely hit to the left, and Kim Ha-sung scored the first goal.
Kim Ha-sung, who hit his second at-bat in the top of the third inning with no outs and runners on second and third bases, hit Stone’s second pitch and hit a missed ball toward the second baseman. Dodgers second baseman Mookie Betts decided that the home game was late, so he scored an out count at first base, and Kim Ha-sung’s 58th RBI of the season was recorded with the score of the third baseman.
Kim Ha-sung, who showed all-around performance in hits, steals, runs, and RBIs / Photo = Getty Images Korea
Kim Ha-sung, who entered his third at-bat in the top of the fifth inning without a runner with one out, when San Diego was 4-7, swung the bat without hesitation when Stone’s first sinker was driven to the center, but stepped down with a grounder to second base.
Kim Ha-sung once again had a chance to score an RBI in his fourth at-bat. In the top of the sixth inning, when San Diego tied 7-7, Kim Ha-sung faced Dodgers left-handed bullpen pitcher Caleb Ferguson with two outs and runners on second and third base. Kim Ha-sung, who was driven to 0-2 ball count, failed to take advantage of Ferguson’s high-fastball swing and struck out three balls.
At the top of the ninth inning, when the score was 7-7, leadoff hitter Trent Grisham succeeded in advancing to second base due to an error by the Dodgers outfielder, and Kim Ha-sung entered his fifth at-bat. Kim Ha-sung completed the operation by sending Grisham to third base with a clean sacrifice bunt. In the ensuing San Diego attack, Tatis hit a pitch toward the pitcher, but Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips, who was conscious of the third baseman, missed the ball and became an infield hit, and one out and first and third bases were made. In the end, Soto, the next batter, hit a come-from-behind three-run home run, and San Diego took the lead 10-7. After two outs, Xander Bogartz hit a solo home run, widening the score to 11-7.
San Diego caused a crisis with closer Josh Hayder’s hit and walk after one out. Hayder seemed to take a breather as he struck out Max Muncy, but lost a run after an RBI timely hit by J.D. Martinez. Hayder, who later gave up a walk to Kike Hernandez, was on the verge of a two-out full base, but handled Chris Taylor with a fly ball to shortstop to secure an 11-8 victory.
Kim Ha-sung challenges to steal 40 bases for the second time in Asian major leaguer history since Ichiro / Photo = Getty Images Korea
Meanwhile, San Diego has 17 home runs with 17 games left in the regular league. Kim Ha-sung, who has 35 steals, has 20 home runs and 40 steals, three home runs and five steals left. If the score is 20-40, it will be the first major leaguer from Asia. In addition, if he succeeds in 40 steals, he will be the second Asian major leaguer to reach 40 steals after “legend” Ichiro Suzuki (a total of 5 times).