Team lost to Colorado 3-7
After a long wait, he finally hit a home run. Kim Ha-sung (29) of the San Diego Padres surpassed Kang Jung-ho (37) of the retired Major Leaguers as the third most home runs in Korean Major Leaguers. In defense, he surprised fans by instinctively hitting straight despite obstruction of vision at the second base.
Kim Ha-sung started as eighth hitter and shortstop in the Colorado Rockies' 2024 regular season visit game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, on the 17th (Korea time) and recorded one hit (one home run) and one walk and two RBIs in three at-bats.
San Diego lost to Colorado 3-7 despite Kim Ha-sung's homer, as starting pitcher Matt Waldron collapsed by allowing nine hits (two homers), one walk, six strikeouts and seven runs in five ⅔ innings, including two. Manny Machado, who dumped cold water on ground balls at every opportunity, was also regrettable. San Diego, which failed to win for four consecutive games, posted 69 wins and 54 losses, delaying its 70th win to the next. Colorado was at the bottom of the NL West with 45 wins and 78 losses.
It was his first homer in 55 days. After hitting his 10th homer of the season in a home game against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 23, Kim Ha-sung suffered from severe batting slump with a batting average of 0.230 in July and a batting average of 0.226 in August before this game. Even in the U.S., he pointed out many defensive innings as the reason for Kim Ha-sung's poor performance. Eventually, he missed the batting training on the 7th due to triceps pain.
However, he seems to be gradually recovering his physical stamina and sense of hitting after several breaks. On the day, he also fired a cool home run from his first at-bat facing right-hander Carl Quantryl, who is currently playing as Colorado's ace this season. When San Diego was losing 0-4, he hit a 94.8 mph sinker in the top of the second inning to get a strike with one out and runners on the first base, and sent it over the left fence.
The ball, which flew 405 feet (about 123.4 meters) at the speed of 102 miles (164.1 kilometers) per hour, was Kim Ha-sung's 11th homer of this season and 47th homerun in the Major League. With this, Kim Ha-sung has surpassed Kang Jung-ho's 46th homerun, and has become the sole third-highest homer in the Korean Major League.
He continued to display good performance thereafter. He garnered a straight walk with one out and a runner on the second base in the top of the fourth inning, and got on base. Quantrill tried to induce Kim Ha-sung to swing and miss by using borderline pitching and splitter, but did not budge.
He also showed good defense. In the bottom of the fourth inning, he hit a strong hit by Charlie Blackmon with two outs and a runner on the first base. Although it was difficult to avoid hitting due to the presence of the second base umpire, Kim Ha-sung instinctively caught the hit, drawing admiration from the back. The back of the second base umpire standing still as if he was spacing out as he couldn't judge quickly, which was impressive.
However, the team failed to reverse the outcome. At the top of the sixth inning, he made a well-hit ball with a speed of 95.2 miles per hour (about 153.2 kilometers), but was caught by third baseman Ryan McMan's good defense, resulting in a double play. At the last at bat in the top of the eighth inning, he struck out swinging with two outs and a runner on the first base, leaving regret.
On the day, the San Diego Padres consisted of Luis Arraez (designated hitter), Jurickson Profar (left fielder), Jake Cronenworth (first baseman), Manny Machado (third baseman), Xander Bogaerts (second baseman), Jackson Merrill (center fielder), David Peralta (right fielder), Kim Ha-sung (striker) and Kyle Higashioka (catcher). The starting pitcher was Matt Waldron.
Against this backdrop, Colorado's Charlie Blackmon (designated hitter), Ezekiel Toba (striker), Brenton Doyle (middle fielder), Ryan McMann (third baseman), Brendan Rodgers (second baseman), Michael Toglia (first baseman), Jake Cave (right fielder), Jacob Stallings (catcher), and Jordan Beck (left fielder). The starting lineup is Carl Quantryl.
The first run was up to Colorado, the home team. Blackmon, the leadoff hitter, walked and Tobar got on base with a hit to center in the bottom of the first inning. McMan gave up one run with a timely RBI single to left, and Rogers made it 4-0 with a three-run shot to left.
San Diego had Kim Ha-sung. With one out in the top of the second inning, Peralta got on base with a left-handed hit, and Kim Ha-sung made up for two runs with a two-run shot to the left.
However, Colorado immediately countered with a home run. In the bottom of the second inning, with one out and one out, Beck got on base with a heavy hit, and Blackmon shot a two-run shot with a flying distance of 450 feet (about 137.2 meters).
San Diego was disappointed as there was a double play in every chance. The chase faded as the coach hit a double play in the top of the third inning with one out and runners on the first and third bases with one out in the top of the sixth inning. Although Kim Ha-sung's ball hit well, he went to the front of third baseman McMan, leaving a regret. For San Diego, Bogaerts' solo shot to the left in the top of the fourth inning was a comfort.
Beck, who succeeded in the third base as the ninth batter, sealed the mood of Colorado's victory. With Colorado leading 6-3 at the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs and a third base, Beck hit Waldron's fifth out sinker, hitting a timely RBI. Ultimately, the hit replaced Waldron with Yuki Matsui and was substituted. Colorado's 7-3 lead. 토토사이트 모음
The San Diego Padres failed to overcome the gap until the end. The game ended with Machado hitting a grounder to the third base with two outs and runners on the first and second bases in the top of the seventh inning, and Profar hitting a double play and Machado hitting a grounder to the first and second bases with no outs in the top of the ninth inning.