Ha-seong Kim, hit, steal, and score against former Samsung Lively
In the KBO League, the opponent’s batting average was weak at 0.125… Hit by pushing
San Diego Padres’ starting infielder Kim Ha-seong (28) contributed to the team’s victory by recording a hit, a stolen base, and a score against Ben Lively, whom he had faced 11 times in the KBO League.
Ha-seong Kim started as the 8th hitter and shortstop in the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) visiting game against the Cleveland Guardians held at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, USA on the 22nd (Korean time) and recorded 1 hit and 1 run in 4 at-bats.
The season batting average slightly increased from 0.224 to 0.225, and the team won 2-1.
After scoring two runs in the top of the second inning on this day, San Diego maintained the victory thanks to the power of the mound, and Kim Ha-seong played a big role in the scoring situation.
Ha-seong Kim entered his first at-bat in the second inning with the score 0-0, with two outs and one on first base.
He hit a right-handed hit after a full-count battle against Lively, who was Cleveland’s starting pitcher and played for the KBO League’s Samsung Lions.
Lively persistently used sinkers and sweepers to compete on the outside, but Ha-Seong Kim hit the outside sinker well on the 8th pitch.
After getting on base, Ha-seong Kim immediately succeeded in stealing, creating an opportunity for 2nd and 3rd bases with 2 outs.
Ha-Seong Kim’s hits and stolen bases both resulted in scores.
Follow-up hitter Kyle Higashioka hit a timely hit to left, and third base runner Jackson Merrill and second base runner Ha-seong Kim both hit home.
Ha-seong Kim was silent for the rest of the at-bats.
He hit a fly ball to left field against Lively in the top of the fourth inning with a 2-0 lead, and struck out against replaced pitcher Nick Sandlin in the seventh.
In the 8th inning, which allowed the team to trail 2-1, he had a chance to hit with bases loaded and 2 outs, but was left disappointed due to a missed swing and strikeout.
San Diego maintained its one-point lead until the end and took the victory.
San Diego starter Michael King led the victory by pitching 7 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, and 1 run.
Cleveland’s starting pitcher Lively also pitched well, allowing 6 hits, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, and 2 runs in 5 ⅓ innings, but became the losing pitcher due to the empty pitches of the batting lineup.
Lively played on the Korean stage from 2019 to 2021.
He appeared in a total of 36 games wearing a Samsung uniform and returned to the United States with a record of 10 wins, 12 losses, and an ERA of 4.14.
In the big leagues this season, he has 8 wins, 6 losses, and an ERA of 3.57, ranking first in wins and second in strikeouts on the team.
Meanwhile, Ha-seong Kim played against Lively several times while playing for the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League and showed a weak showing with a batting average of 0.125, with 1 hit and 2 walks in 8 at-bats, 1 walk on balls and 1 strikeout.
/Yonhap News
