The jagged strike zone could not stop Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres).
Kim Ha-seong started as a first hitter and second baseman in the 2023 Major League Baseball game against the Seattle Mariners held at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, USA on the 9th (Korean time). He struck out 3 times due to an unfair ball decision, but he finally got a hit in his last at-bat. Kim Ha-seong continued his streak of hitting in 14 games with 1 hit in 4 at-bats. The match was lost by San Diego 0-2.안전놀이터
Seattle starting pitcher Logan Gilbert threw well, but the strike zone that day was unfavorable to hitters.
Kim Ha-seong lost three strikeouts to Gilbert. He struck out on a swing the first time on a slider and the second on a splitter. In the third at-bat, he swallowed regret at the referee’s absurd strike decision. 2-strike 2 The ball that fell far toward the body was declared a strike.
Ha-seong Kim indirectly complained of his regret, unable to leave the plate for a while.
However, even this ‘Pacific Zone’ could not completely stop Kim Ha-seong. Kim Ha-seong got his last chance as the lead batter in the top of the 9th inning, trailing 0-2.
Ha-seong Kim faced Seattle closer Andres Munoz. Munoz made active use of his generous body side on this day. He hit a four-seam fastball on the first and second pitches in a row. As it became a full strike, Ha-seong Kim’s streak of hitting and on-base streak was in danger of being interrupted.
Munoz, who made him pay attention to his body, threw a manned ball outside the third pitch. He sent the slider away from Kim Ha-seong.
He could not avoid Ha-seong Kim’s swing, which gave off a sense of climax. Kim Ha-seong pulled his butt all the way and let go of his right hand to extend his reach as much as possible. He chased Yoo In-gu, who was running outside, to the end and hit the center of the bat. The batted ball fell in the middle of the right, continuing a 14-game hitting streak.
Due to strikeouts in the previous three at-bats, he failed to reach base in 16 consecutive games. Kim Ha-seong’s 15 consecutive on-base streaks is an Asian record tied with Ichiro Suzuki’s. Unfortunately, the club that stopped Kim Ha-sung’s new record was Seattle, Ichiro’s home team.
Ha-seong Kim’s season batting average remained at 0.288, but his on-base percentage slightly decreased from 0.384 to 0.383.