Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers made a strong impression in front of home fans with a multi-hit performance, including a home run. Even in the multi-hit game, he was quickly substituted due to a left-handed pitcher, wrapping up the game. However, he emerged as a key player contributing to the team’s decisive victory.
On the 15th (Korean time), Kim Hye-seong started as the No. 9 second baseman in a game against the Athletics at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, where he recorded his first career home run along with 2 hits in 2 at-bats, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored. However, he was taken out of the game after two at-bats due to the introduction of a left-handed pitcher.
This was Kim Hye-seong’s starting debut at Dodger Stadium. The previous day (the 14th), he made his first appearance in front of home fans at Dodger Stadium as a pinch hitter for Mookie Betts in the bottom of the 8th inning.
On that day, the Oakland starter was Gunnar Hoglund, a promising player who recorded 1 win with a 2.38 earned run average in 2 games since being called up in May. He entered his first at-bat with a 2-0 lead after Shohei Ohtani’s leadoff solo home run in the 1st inning and Andy Phaez’s solo home run in the 2nd.
With two outs and no runners on base, Kim Hye-seong found himself in a disadvantageous ball count against Hoglund. He fouled off a changeup, sweeper, and four-seam fastball on a 1B-1S count. In a 1B-2S disadvantageous count, he hit an 87.6-mile-per-hour changeup.
The ball slowly rolled and passed by pitcher Hoglund. The second baseman made a quick play, but Kim Hye-seong sprinted to create an infield hit. With his speed, Kim Hye-seong created the first hit at Dodger Stadium. He also demonstrated his presence in defense. In the top of the 4th inning, facing a 2-3 deficit with two outs and a runner on second base, he made a sliding catch to secure a strong hit from Luis Urias, preventing additional runs for Yamamoto.
And in the bottom of the 5th inning, Kim Hye-seong, returning as the leadoff hitter, launched a tying solo home run on the second pitch of a 92.2-mile-per-hour four-seam fastball after one strike. It was the first home run of his Major League career, with a ball speed of 104.3 miles per hour and a distance of 385 feet.
As Kim Hye-seong returned to the dugout, he was showered with sunflower seeds, enjoying the qualification of being a Dodgers home run hitter. It was a home run that only cleared ten out of the 30 Major League ballparks. The score was now 3-3.
In regard to Kim Hye-seong’s first home run, the official Major League Baseball social media account posted a message combining images of Kim Hye-seong and a comet, saying, “If you blinked, you might have missed Kim Hye-seong’s home run.”
Additionally, Kim Hye-seong was substituted for Miguel Rojas as a pinch hitter in the 6th inning with two outs and one runner on first base when left-handed Hogan Harris was on the mound, concluding his day.
As a result, the Dodgers’ pinch-hitting strategy was successful. Miguel Rojas hit an RBI double to right-center field, allowing the Dodgers to take a 4-3 lead.
The Dodgers won 9-3, avenging their 1-11 defeat the previous day. The Dodgers marked a record of 28 wins and 15 losses, maintaining their leading position in the National League West.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto started for the Dodgers. The starting lineup consisted of Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Will Smith (catcher), Max Muncy (third baseman), Andy Phaez (right fielder), Michael Conforto (left fielder), James Outman (center fielder), and Kim Hye-seong (second baseman).
On the 9th, Yamamoto became the losing pitcher after allowing 6 hits (2 home runs), 1 walk, 1 hit batsman, and 4 strikeouts with 5 earned runs over 5 innings, causing his earned run average to rise from 0.90 to 1.80.
On this day, Yamamoto continued his smooth sailing early on. The lineup provided a 2-0 lead with Ohtani’s leadoff home run in the 1st inning and Andy Phaez’s solo home run in the 2nd.
However, in the top of the 3rd inning, he allowed a line drive single to Luis Urias. After getting 2 outs, he gave up a two-run home run to Tyler Soderstrom, tying the game at 2-2. In the top of the 4th inning, he allowed Miguel Andujar an RBI double down the left field line with one out and one runner on first base, falling behind 2-3. However, he overcame the scoring threat with Kim Hye-seong’s excellent defense with two outs and a runner on second.
Then, in the bottom of the 5th inning, leadoff hitter Kim Hye-seong hit a tying solo home run, relieving Yamamoto of his losing situation. Yamamoto finished the 6th inning without allowing additional runs, completing 6 innings with 4 hits allowed (1 home run), 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, and 3 earned runs, achieving a quality start before leaving the mound.
In the bottom of the 6th inning, with two outs and one runner on first base, Kim Hye-seong’s pinch hitter Miguel Rojas hit a timely double to right-center field, giving the Dodgers the lead and they didn’t let it slip away. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Kiké Hernández’s single to left field, Miguel Rojas’ sacrifice bunt, and Ohtani’s intentional walk created a one-out opportunity with runners on first and second, where Mookie Betts delivered a two-RBI double to right-center field, sealing the victory. Later, Max Muncy celebrated with a three-run home run.
