"Kim Hye-seong could have tied the game..." U.S. media also sighs! Why did the third-base coach stop him? → Roberts: "I cannot criticize him"

*This content was translated by AI.

Local media have expressed regret over Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel's decision to prevent Kim Hye-seong (27) from scoring at home plate. While some evaluations suggest the Dodgers lost the game due to this base-running error, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (54) actively defended coach Ebel.

On the 19th (Korean time), the Dodgers played an away game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, California, and lost 0-1 amid a silent lineup in the "2026 Major League Baseball (MLB)" season. As a result, the Dodgers surrendered their sole lead in the National League (NL) West Division to San Diego and bowed their heads.

The Dodgers' lineup struggled to find a breakthrough against San Diego starter Michael King's seven-inning scoreless performance. However, a decisive opportunity arose midway through the game. Coincidentally, it began with Kim Hye-seong's footwork.

With the team trailing 0-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, two outs, and no runners on base, Kim Hye-seong stepped into the batter's box and hit a clean single to right field off King. When Shohei Ohtani later grounded to the infield, San Diego catcher Rodolfo Duran's errant throw to first base compounded the situation, allowing Kim Hye-seong to advance past second base and reach third base.

At this point, San Diego second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. fumbled while trying to field the rolling ball, committing another error. Considering Kim Hye-seong's speed, it was a split-second timing where he could have easily scored to tie the game. However, third-base coach Dino Ebel raised both hands and stopped Kim Hye-seong at third base.

In hindsight, this decision proved to be a painful blunder. With two outs and runners on first and third in a tie-game situation, Mookie Betts flew out weakly to the second baseman, and the Dodgers failed to score a single run, ending the inning. Given the final score was a one-run loss of 0-1, the deep sense of regret was palpable. U.S. publication Tokin Baseball stated "Since Fernando Tatis Jr. fumbled the ball instead of fielding it cleanly, Kim Hye-seong likely would have scored if he had continued running".

The manager's perspective differed after the game. In interviews with local media such as U.S. SportsNet following the match, Dodgers manager Roberts reflected on the situation, saying, "Coach Ebel had to make a decision the moment Tatis Jr. touched the ball. It was an extremely difficult play."

Roberts continued, "At that moment, the coach was in the best position to observe both Kim Hye-seong and the defensive players' positions. I have no intention of criticizing the coach for a past decision. It was simply a matter of bad luck," thereby respecting coach Ebel's choice.

He further added, "It was a two-out situation, and if there had been additional data or information, he might have made a different call," emphasizing again, "That scene required an extremely difficult decision in a split second."

With the manager's strong trust, coach Ebel's decision-making error was ultimately labeled as "bad luck," but for the Dodgers, who surrendered their division lead, that "split-second moment" where Kim Hye-seong's legs were tied remains a lingering regret.

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*This content was translated by AI.