*This content was translated by AI.
Song Sung-moon (30, San Diego Padres), who is challenging the Major League, reported his first home run and first RBI in an exhibition game.
Song Sung-moon started as the seventh batter and shortstop in an away game against the Seattle Mariners in the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) exhibition game held at Peoria Stadium in Arizona on the 6th (Korea time) and recorded one hit (one home run), one RBI, one strikeout, and one run in two at-bats.
The home run hit from the first at-bat. The opposing starting pitcher was right-hander Luis Castillo (34), a fastball veteran with 84 wins in the Major League. Song Seong-mun passed Castillo's 94.9 mph (about 152.7 km) fastball that came toward the body and went out of the right fence.
Local commentators also praised the 430-foot (about 131 meters) hit, saying it was a "good signal."
It was Song's first home run and first RBI in an exhibition game. Song Sung-moon played for the first time since the 23rd of last month, and had only three single hits so far. However, he also shot a home run in the game where he started as shortstop, increasing his chances of making the opening roster.
Since then, as the San Diego batters have exploded, there is a possibility that Song Sung-moon's home run will be the final hit. Later, Thai France and Freddie Permin scored additional points with consecutive doubles. Jake Cronenworth walked, Jackson Merrill got on base due to a second baseman error, and Ramon Lauriano made it 4-0 with a timely two-run hit to the right.
Castillo was eventually forced out, but Seattle's crisis was not the end. Gavin Sheets, Nick Casteyanos' consecutive hits, and Miguel Anduha's walk on base made the batter go first.
Song Sung-moon, who came back to the plate with the bases loaded with one out, struck out a foul tip on right-hander Tyler Cleveland's outer sinker. After that, San Diego scored four more points to make it 12-0, and Song Sung-moon finished the day by replacing Francisco Acuña in the top of the third inning.
Song Sung-moon signed a four-year total of $15 million contract through Major League posting in December last year, thanks to his good performance in shooting 45 home runs in the last two years. $2.5 million in 2026, $3 million in 2027, $3.5 million in 2028 and $4 million in 2029, which are conditions for executing opt-outs after 2028. In 2030, there is also a $7 million mutual option, which can run for up to five years.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
