Pittsburgh Pirates' Baek Ji-hwan (26) succeeded in stealing second base as a pinch runner for the second consecutive day.
On the 12th (Korea time), Baek Ji-hwan entered the game as a pinch runner in the bottom of the sixth inning during the 2025 Major League home game against the Atlanta Braves, held at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and successfully stole his second base of the season.
Baek Ji-hwan, who had not started in the first three games since being called up on the 10th, appeared as a pinch runner in the bottom of the sixth inning as the team led 3-0. Lead-off batter Alexander Canario reached base on a walk, after which Baek Ji-hwan was brought in to first base.
After two outs, he stole second base during the at-bat of Riover Pegueros. Facing left-handed pitcher Chris Sale, he started his run on the second pitch and slid headfirst to make it safely. Atlanta catcher Drake Baldwin's throw to second base was also inaccurate.
Baek Ji-hwan, who recorded his second stolen base of the season as a pinch runner for the second consecutive game following the game against Atlanta on the 11th, remained stranded as no subsequent hits followed.
Entering the defense as a center fielder in the top of the seventh, Baek Ji-hwan faced his first at-bat in the bottom of the eighth. It had been 43 days since he last stepped to the plate in the Major Leagues against the Miami Marlins on March 30, and Baek Ji-hwan was up against left-handed Aaron Bummer with one out and no runners on base.
He attempted a surprise bunt on the first pitch, but it resulted in a foul. After selecting a ball on the second pitch, he swung and missed at a low outside curveball on the third pitch. On the fourth pitch, he hit a ground ball to second base as the low curve entered the zone, delaying his first hit of the season, ending the day with no hits in five at-bats.
In the game, Pittsburgh won 4-3 against Atlanta with a walk-off hit by Joey Bart in the bottom of the ninth inning. Bart recorded three hits and two RBIs in five at-bats, including the walk-off hit. Finishing the three-game series against Atlanta with two wins and one loss, Pittsburgh improved to 14-27, while Atlanta dropped to 19-21.
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