Kim Hye-seong (26) of the Los Angeles Dodgers was substituted into the game after being excluded from the starting lineup.
On the 30th (Korea time), Kim Hye-seong was substituted into the game as a defensive replacement at second base in the bottom of the 8th inning during the away game against the Kansas City Royals held at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2025 Major League Baseball. He did not get an opportunity to bat.
Against Kansas City's left-handed starter Kris Bubic, the Dodgers lined up Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Teoscar Hernández (right fielder), Will Smith (catcher), Tommy Edman (center fielder), Andy Pajes (left fielder), Max Muncy (third baseman), Kiké Hernández (first baseman), and Miguel Rojas (second baseman). The starting pitcher was Lou Trivino.
Kim Hye-seong, who had an impressive performance as the eighth batter playing shortstop with 2 hits, 1 walk, and 1 steal in 3 at-bats against Kansas City the previous day (29th), was left on the bench as a left-handed pitcher was starting under the platoon system.
Although Kim Hye-seong was excluded from the starting lineup, the Dodgers won 5-1 thanks to the contributions of the backup players. Shohei Ohtani was silent with 0 hits in 4 at-bats, but Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer to take the lead in the 2nd inning, and Rojas had 2 hits, 1 RBI, and 1 walk in 2 at-bats.
In the top of the 2nd inning, with 2 outs and a runner on first base, Kiké Hernández exploded a two-run homer to left-center field. He lifted the changeup that dropped low in the middle on Bubic's 4th pitch. It was his 8th homer of the season, turning the game around.
In the top of the 6th inning, Will Smith hit a homerun. He connected with a four-seam fastball that came in high on the inside from relief pitcher Steven Cruz on the 5th pitch, sending it over the center field fence. It was his 10th solo homer of the season.
In the top of the 7th inning, the Dodgers added more points with Andy Pajes' double to left and Max Muncy's one-RBI double to left-center. Then Rojas' timely hit to center field widened the score to 5-1.
The pitchers also shined. Starter Trivino, who pitched as an opener, left after 1 inning with 1 earned run, while 'bulk guy' Justin Loboletsky, who was brought in from the 2nd inning, pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts with no earned runs, earning his 4th win of the season (2 losses).
Finishing the three-game series against Kansas City with 2 wins and 1 loss, the Dodgers achieved their 6th consecutive winning series, standing at 53 wins and 32 losses for the best winning percentage in Major League Baseball (.624) and leading the National League (NL) West Division. Kansas City, in 4th place in the American League (AL) Central Division, fell to 39 wins and 45 losses (winning percentage .464).
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