"Awesome." Kim Hyesung's two-run shot explodes! Ohtani's defense to "three feet out." [WBC Korea-Japan match]

*This content was translated by AI.

LA Dodgers utility player Kim Hye-sung (27, LA Dodgers) scored a golden two-run shot to balance the game in his fateful Korea-Japan match.

Kim Hye-sung launched a thunderous two-run shot in the second Group C match against Japan in the first round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) finals at Tokyo Dome, Japan, on the 7th, as the ninth batter and second baseman.

Kim Hye-sung's long-awaited shot exploded in the top of the fourth inning when South Korea was trailing 3-5. Korea's chance to get first base with one out. Kim Hye-sung took the batter's box for the second time. In this case, Kim had the advantage of having a ball count of 3-1 against Hiromi Ito (Nipponham), a new Japanese pitcher.

Kim Hye-sung then targeted a 150km four-seam fastball that entered the strike zone with Ito's fifth pitch high on the body and drew a dramatic two-run arch that crossed the right fence. The distance was 125 meters.

It was a moment when Kim Hye-sung completely blew the disappointment of striking out Japanese starter Yusei Kikuchi (LA Angels) in his first at-bat in the top of the second inning.

It was also Kim Hye-sung's first hit in this tournament. After targeting the ball, Kim Hye-sung watched the ball for a while and slowly walked toward first base. Then around the base, Kim Hye-sung enjoyed joy with her colleagues by performing a plane ceremony.

Kim Hye-sung showed good performance not only in attack but also in defense. He calmly connected a ground ball rolling toward him to an out count, leading the infield's defense.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, he also put out his teammate Ohtani. Ohtani got on base with a left-center hit after one out. Kim Hye-sung then caught Kondo Genske's grounder to second base. At this time, Kim Hye-sung tried to tag Ohtani, who was rushing to second base, with his arms outstretched. Ohtani left the state as he avoided Kim Hye-sung's tag, and the second base umpire declared a 3-foot out. However, Kim Hye-sung's subsequent throw to first base missed and the batter survived. However, Seiya Suzuki was hit by a fly ball to right field, and the fifth inning ended without a run.

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*This content was translated by AI.