LA Dodgers' Kim Hyesung recorded his first Major League hit. Teammate Shohei Ohtani celebrated Kim's first hit more than anyone else.
Kim Hyesung started as the 9th second baseman in an away game against the Miami Marlins on 6th (Korea time) at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
Kim Hyesung, who hit his first Major League hit against former Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, made a strong performance by recording his first score and first RBI as well. He went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI, 1 score, and 1 stolen base, while contributing to the Dodgers' 7-4 victory with stable defense at second base.
In the 3rd inning as the lead-off hitter, Kim Hyesung hit Alcantara's 5th pitch, a 99.2 mph (159.6 km/h) fastball, but was out on a fly ball to right field.
Kim Hyesung was again the lead-off hitter in the 5th inning. With a ball count of 1 ball and 1 strike, he pushed a 96.6 mph (155.5 km/h) fastball from Alcantara to hit a single that slipped past the shortstop into left field. It was his first hit in the big leagues. He then successfully stole second base (his 2nd of the season). After Ohtani hit a two-run home run over the right field fence, Kim recorded his first score in the big leagues.
In the 6th inning, with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, Kim Hyesung came up to bat for his 3rd at-bat. With a count of 2 strikes, he hit a changeup from Miami's bullpen pitcher Tyler Phillips over the shortstop's head for a timely hit that dropped in front of the left fielder. This was Kim Hyesung's first RBI in the big leagues. In the 8th inning, with 1 out and a runner on 3rd, he was out on a ground ball to the first baseman, failing to capitalize on the scoring opportunity.
On September 20th last year at LoanDepot Park, Ohtani achieved an incredible performance with 6 hits in 6 at-bats, 3 home runs, 2 stolen bases, and 10 RBIs against Miami. He hit a home run in this game as well, marking Kim Hyesung's first score in the Major Leagues.
In the 5th inning with no outs and a runner on 2nd, Ohtani hit Alcantara's 97.7 mph (157.2 km/h) fastball for a powerful two-run home run with a hit speed of 117.9 mph (approximately 189.7 km/h). This was the fastest hit speed home run in MLB this season. It marked Ohtani's 5th fastest hit speed home run in his career (including postseason).
After the game, Ohtani noted in an interview with Japanese media regarding Kim Hyesung's first appearance, "I think this is a really special day for him. Although it didn't lead to a score yesterday, he showed excellent base running, and today, he performed wonderfully including some great base running."
After the game, Kim Hyesung told a local broadcaster about his first hit moment, "At that moment, since I was leading off, I thought I had to safely reach base no matter what. There were really strong hitters behind me, so I wanted to get on base for sure, and I was happy to achieve that."
After scoring, Kim Hyesung received congratulations from his teammates in the dugout and shared joy with Ohtani, who hit the last home run, with a high five and a hug. Kim Hyesung said, "As soon as I came in, Ohtani hit the home run, and I was really happy when he congratulated me."
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