In his first year in the majors, Kim Ha-Sung (28, San Diego Padres) bounced around backing up superstar infielders, but in three seasons he’s made the leap to leading the team’s offense. The U.S. media, San Diego’s manager, and his teammates are all “hysterical” right now. 먹튀검증
Kim started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored in the Padres’ 4-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 Major League Baseball World Series at Petco Park in San Diego, California, on Sept. 19 (KST).
After reaching base on a throwing error by shortstop Heraldo Perdomo in the first inning, Kim was thrown out trying to steal second base in the next at-bat by Fernando Tatis Jr. With the score still 0-0, he led off the fourth inning with a single to left field, and with the bases loaded in the sixth inning, he flied out to shortstop.
The icing on the cake was his final at-bat. With the score tied at 0-0 in the eighth, leadoff man Gary Sanchez walked, pinch-hitter Ben Gamel singled and Trent Grisham calmly laid down a sacrifice bunt to put two runners on base.
With runners on second and third, Kim wasted no time in capitalizing on the opportunity. With an unfavorable count of 0B-2S, he took a three-pitch slider from Miguel Castro and lined it over the center field fence for a double. It was the game-winning hit of the night. Kim later scored on Tatis Jr.’s wedge double.
The San Diego Union-Tribune, a local newspaper in San Diego, USA, highlighted Kim’s performance in a postgame article titled “Kim saved the Padres”.
“Ha Sung Kim has been a savior for the Padres this season. If the Padres can do the impossible in their remaining 39 games, erase a five-game gap in the wild-card race and make it to fall ball, Kim will be seen as the savior.” Kim is the leader of the Padres’ offense.
He was facing an unfavorable 0B-2S count on the day, but he stayed focused and delivered the game-winning hit. The media said, “Kim could give a lecture on how to hit after two strikes. Other teammates should learn from him,” and “Kim’s batting average after two strikes is 2 for 4, which ranks sixth in the National League,” praising his ability.
So what’s the secret? “I took a terrible swing at a bad pitch,” Kim told the San Diego Union-Tribune, “so I regrouped and tried to make contact. Eventually, I made contact, and it turned out well.
Kim’s dramatic finish was applauded by his teammates. San Diego superstar Tatis Jr. said, “It was amazing. He did an amazing job today, just like he’s been doing all year.”