'As expected' LAD's Kim Hye-seong delivers a fantastic defensive play! Perfect catch and throw on an irregular bounce, plus a hit and multi-base reach. However, LAD ultimately surrendered the top spot.

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LA Dodgers utility player Kim Hye-seong achieved multi-base reaches in two consecutive games. He also showed strong defensive performance. However, the Dodgers failed to score a single run against the opposing pitching staff. Song Seong-moon, who plays for the San Diego Padres, entered as a defensive substitute but did not bat.

On the 19th (Korea time), Kim Hye-seong started as the ninth hitter and second baseman in the Dodgers' away game against San Diego at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, during the 2026 MLB regular season. He recorded two at-bats, one hit, and one walk. Song Seong-moon

After today's game, Kim Hye-seong's season statistics stand at 36 games played, a batting average of 0.278 (97 at-bats, 27 hits), one home run, three doubles, one triple, 10 RBIs, 13 runs scored, 11 walks, 25 strikeouts, five stolen bases (one failed attempt), an on-base percentage of 0.349, a slugging percentage of 0.361, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.710.

The Dodgers set their starting lineup in the order: Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Kyle Tucker (right fielder), Will Smith (catcher), Max Muncy (third baseman), Andy Pages (center fielder), Teoscar Hernandez (left fielder), and Kim Hye-seong (second baseman). The starting pitcher was Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who had a 3-3 record with a 3.60 ERA before this game.

The San Diego Padres set their starting lineup in the order: Fernando Tatis Jr. (second baseman), Miguel Andujar (designated hitter), Gavin Sheets (first baseman), Manny Machado (third baseman), Xander Bogaerts (shortstop), Jackson Merrill (center fielder), Nick Castellanos (right fielder), Ramon Laureano (left fielder), and Rolando Arroyo (catcher). The starting pitcher was Michael King, who had a 3-2 record with a 2.63 ERA before this game.

Kim Hye-seong has hit a hit in all games over the past five, excluding the game against the Los Angeles Angels on the 17th. In particular, in yesterday's game (18th), he recorded two hits and reached base once. Today, he again recorded one hit and one walk, achieving multi-base reaches on consecutive days.

In the bottom of the first inning with no outs and no runners on base, San Diego's Andujar hit a solo home run, taking an early lead. After that, neither the Dodgers nor San Diego managed to score, and Andujar's home run became the game-winning run.

Kim Hye-seong stepped up to the plate for the first time in the bottom of the third inning with the Dodgers trailing 0-1, two outs, and no runners on base. Facing an unfavorable 1-2 count, Kim Hye-seong swung and missed at King's fourth pitch, a changeup on the outside low corner, resulting in a strikeout.

Kim Hye-seong's hit came in his second at-bat. In the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs and no runners on base, Kim Hye-seong, with a 1-1 count, attacked the third pitch, a sinker, and recorded a hit to right field. This was the moment Kim Hye-seong recorded a hit in two consecutive games.

Continuing, Kim Hye-seong reached second base when Ohtani followed with an infield hit. Then, a throw from the San Diego catcher to first base went astray, resulting in an error, and Kim Hye-seong sprinted to third base. However, the next batter, Betts, was retired on a fly ball to the second baseman, leaving the opportunity unfulfilled.

Kim Hye-seong's third at-bat came in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and no runners on base. The San Diego pitcher had been replaced by reliever Jason Adam. Prior to this, Pages and Teoscar Hernandez had both been retired on ground balls to third base, creating a two-out, bases-empty situation. Kim Hye-seong then stepped up to the plate and, after a fierce battle lasting eight pitches, drew a walk.

Following Ohtani's hit to right field, Kim Hye-seong reached third base, hoping to tie the game. However, Betts grounded out to the shortstop, and the Dodgers ultimately failed to tie the score.

Most importantly, Kim Hye-seong's true value was revealed in defense today. In the bottom of the seventh inning with no outs and a runner on first, Jackson Merrill hit a ball that rolled quickly toward the second baseman. Although the final bounce was irregular, Kim Hye-seong dove and cleanly caught the ball with a smooth glove movement. He then calmly threw to Betts, who was covering second base, to record the first out. Yamamoto, who had just entered the game, even clapped to express his gratitude to Kim Hye-seong.

Throughout the game, the Dodgers trailed 0-1, one run behind. In the bottom of the ninth inning, they seized a golden opportunity. Freeman and Tucker drew consecutive walks, creating a bases-empty, first-and-second situation. However, Smith flew out to center field, Muncy struck out on three pitches, and Pages grounded out to third base, leaving the opportunity unfulfilled.

Additionally, Song Seong-moon entered as a defensive substitute in the top of the eighth inning to play second base. He did not bat. Dodgers starter Yamamoto pitched seven innings, allowing three hits (one home run), two walks, and striking out eight batters, while giving up one run (one earned run). Despite his strong performance, he received no support from the team's offense and took the loss, marking his fourth defeat of the season (three wins).

This loss by the Dodgers changed the standings in the National League West. The Dodgers, who had been in first place, dropped to second. The Dodgers, with 29 wins and 19 losses, now trail the league-leading San Diego Padres by 0.5 games. San Diego has 19 wins and 18 losses.

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*This content was translated by AI.