"Kim Hyesung, what happened to you?"'→Surprised' almost got it right in the first exhibition game, 2 hits and 3 RBIs exploded! 日 Yamamoto's unexpected 2 runs 'LAD 15-2 Big win'

*This content was translated by AI.

LA Dodgers' all-around utility player Kim Hye-sung (27) made a fresh start with a multi-hit performance in his first exhibition game of the year.

Kim Hye-sung started as a second baseman and sixth batter in an away game against the Los Angeles Angels in the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) exhibition game at Diablo Stadium in Tempie, Arizona, USA on the 22nd (Korea time), and played an active role with two hits, three RBIs and one run in three at-bats.

Kim Hye-sung's first timely hit came in the first inning. The Dodgers went to second base when leadoff hitter Ohtani got on base with a deep infield hit to third base, followed by Teoscar Hernandez's heavy hit. With Pazs and Rushing striking out in a row, Espinal calmly drew a walk and continued his chance to load the bases.

Here, Kim Hye-sung entered the batter's box. The opposing pitcher is right-hander Jose Soriano. Kim Hye-sung, who watched the first strike, picked out the second one-bound ball. Kim Hye-sung cut three balls in a row from three to five pitches. In particular, the ball targeting the third pitch went strongly toward the outfield on the third base foul line, and it almost hit the third baseman Ohtani. Ohtani managed to avoid the hit by pulling his hips back. Since then, he has appeared to look down and playfully glare at Kim Hye-sung.

Kim Hye-sung continued to pick out the sixth and seventh balls, becoming a full count. And the 8th ball. He hit a four-seam fastball to Soriano's 98.7-mile (about 158.8 km/h) body course for a single to escape between shortstop and third baseman. In the meantime, Ohtani and Hernandez also homered, leading to a two-run timely hit. After that, Kim Hye-sung succeeded in scoring his first score in the exhibition game by stepping home when the subsequent batter made a timely hit.

This wasn't the end. Kim Hye-sung faced left-hander Mitch Paris in the top of the second inning with one out and runners on first and third bases. At the ball count 1-1, he rolled up a four-seam fastball 92.4 miles (148.7km) outside the third pitch, and the ball fell in front of center field. In the meantime, third baseman Rushing homered leisurely and added an RBI. The score was 7–0. It was the moment Kim Hye-sung completed a two-hit, three-run game in just two at-bats.

Kim Hye-sung faced his third at-bat in the top of the third inning with the Dodgers leading 10-2. The opposing pitcher is left-hander Sam Aldegeri from Italy. After watching the first strike, Kim Hye-sung missed the bat on the slider that flowed outside the second pitch. Fouls on the third and fourth pitches. The fifth ball calmly picked out the outside ball. However, he missed the bat on a four-seam fastball that came into the high course in the middle of the sixth pitch.

After the top of the fifth inning, Kim Hye-sung finished his game by replacing Ryan Fitzgerald ahead of the defense in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kim Hye-sung plans to join the Korean national baseball team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) held early next month after completing an exhibition game schedule for the time being.

On the day, the Dodgers won a 15-2 victory after hitting 16 hits. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who started the Dodgers, allowed three hits, three strikeouts, and two runs (one earned run) in the first ⅔ inning. It seemed that he was gradually raising his physical condition by arranging his physical strength, not 100% full pitching. In addition, "Superstar" Shohei Ohtani started as the first designated hitter and recorded one hit, one run and one strikeout in three at-bats.

In addition, Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) and Song Sung-moon (San Diego Padres) did not participate in the exhibition game.

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*This content was translated by AI.