*This content was translated by AI.
San Diego Padres infielder Song Seong-moon (30) contributed to his team's victory with a valuable hit and consecutive RBIs. Although the ball was caught just in front of the outfield wall, he also launched a powerful hit that nearly became his first MLB home run, raising expectations.
On the 16th (Korea time), Song Seong-moon started at second base and batted eighth in the road game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington, USA, recording one hit and one RBI in four at-bats in the '2026 Major League Baseball (MLB)' season.
With this hit, Song Seong-moon finally recorded a hit after seven games since his last one against the San Francisco Giants on the 6th. The RBI came in back-to-back games, following the previous day's (15th) game against the Milwaukee Brewers. His season batting average rose slightly from 0.154 to 0.176.
After being used as a substitute in three consecutive recent games, Song Seong-moon finally earned a starting opportunity after four games, though he faced a somewhat disappointing result early in the game.
In the bottom of the second inning, with the score tied 0-0 and one out with the bases loaded, Song Seong-moon stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat. He attacked Seattle starter Emerson Hancock's first pitch, a cutter clocked at 85.4 mph (approximately 137.4 km/h). However, the ball headed straight toward the shortstop, resulting in a double play to 'shortstop-first baseman,' and the scoring opportunity vanished instantly.
However, he immediately succeeded in getting on base in his second at-bat. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Song Seong-moon was called out on a ground ball to the shortstop, but the call was overturned after a video review (challenge) at first base. It was confirmed that Seattle first baseman Josh Naylor's foot had come off the base at the moment of the catch, so the play was recorded as a lucky infield hit.
Song Seong-moon's true value shone in the later stages of the game. In the bottom of the seventh inning, with the team leading 1-0, one out, and runners on first and third, Song Seong-moon hit a strong ball toward first base. While the Seattle first baseman dove to make the catch, the runner from third base easily scored. This thrilling RBI gave the team a 2-0 lead and was a valuable hit, marking his second consecutive game with an RBI.
The most regrettable moment came in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs and runners on second and third, Song Seong-moon stepped up for his final at-bat. He made solid contact with the center of the bat and sent a powerful ball to right-center field. It was a moment that seemed to promise his first MLB home run, but the ball traveled 370 feet (approximately 112.7 meters) and was caught by the right fielder's glove just in front of the wall.
According to 'Baseball Savant,' the official MLB statistics website, this hit was a 'home-run-worthy ball' that would have been a home run in only two of the 30th MLB stadiums: Yankee Stadium and Great American Ball Park, making the missed opportunity even more frustrating.
Meanwhile, San Diego won the game 2-0. In the bottom of the fourth inning, after Gavin Sheets drew a walk and stole second base to create a two-out, runner-on-second situation, Miguel Andújar hit a two-run double to take the lead. Later, in the bottom of the seventh, Song Seong-moon's ground ball RBI extended the lead to 2-0, and the team held off any further scoring. San Diego starter Randy Vasquez pitched six innings, allowing four hits and striking out three batters without giving up a run, securing his fifth win (one loss) of the season.
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*This content was translated by AI.
