Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers was excluded from the starting lineup for the second consecutive game but stepped onto the field as a pinch hitter in a large score deficit. The Dodgers suffered a shocking defeat.
On the 5th (Korea time), Kim Hye-seong was excluded from the starting lineup in the game against the Houston Astros held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. However, in the bottom of the 6th inning with one out and a runner on first base, significantly trailing 1-17, he appeared as a pinch hitter for Teoscar Hernández and recorded no hits in two at-bats.
Facing Houston starter Lance McCullers Jr., Kim Hye-seong made contact with an 84.3 mph slider on the second pitch with a count of one ball and one strike, but grounded out to the third baseman. In the bottom of the 8th with one out and runners on first and second base, Kim Hye-seong stepped to the plate again, facing Jason Alexander. He connected on a 90.4 mph sinker with a count of one ball and one strike, resulting in a ground ball to the second baseman. However, the opposing second baseman bobbled the ball, and Kim Hye-seong reached first base at full speed due to a throwing error by the second baseman.
On this day, the Dodgers started Ben Kaspariouas, but they were subjected to a bombardment by the Houston lineup. In the top of the 1st, the leadoff batter Isaac Paredes hit a leadoff home run on the first pitch. They then allowed a double to José Altuve and faced Christian Walker, who hit an RBI single with two outs and runners on second and third base, beginning the game with a score of 0-2.
In the bottom of the 2nd, the Dodgers scored a point with a solo home run by Will Smith. However, in the top of the 3rd, after allowing a double to Jake Meyers, they gave up a two-run home run to José Altuve, extending the deficit to 1-4. They then allowed a double to Cam Smith and subsequently gave up a two-run home run to Christian Walker, increasing the gap to 1-6. In the top of the 5th with two outs and runners on first and second base, they surrendered an RBI single to Cooper Hummel, bringing the score to 1-7.
The problem arose in the 6th inning. After issuing a walk to Isaac Paredes and allowing a single to Jake Meyers, they also walked José Altuve, loading the bases with no outs. Cam Smith then hit a two-run single, and Christian Walker was awarded a bases-loaded hit by pitch, bringing the score to 1-9. They then faced Victor Caratini, who hit a grand slam, making it 1-13.
The Dodgers had no way to stop the onslaught from Houston’s lineup. They allowed a walk to Cooper Hummel and an infield single to Mauricio Dubón, and with two outs and runners on first and second base, they gave up an RBI single to Jake Meyers, followed by a three-run home run to José Altuve, extending the gap to 1-17. They also allowed one more point in the top of the 7th.
The performance of the Dodgers' mound was disastrous that day. No pitcher managed to avoid giving up runs. Ben Kaspariouas collapsed with a line of 3 innings pitched, allowing 9 hits (3 home runs), striking out 3, and giving up 6 earned runs, leading to a loss. Jack Dryer recorded 1⅔ innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 2, surrendering 1 earned run. Notably, Noah Davis also struggled, with 1⅓ innings, allowing 6 hits (2 home runs), 3 walks, striking out 3, and giving up 10 earned runs. It was a complete surrender.
In the top of the 9th, infielder Miguel Rojas took the mound, saving a pitcher. The Dodgers suffered a complete defeat, losing 1-18.
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