Song Seong-moon, who broke his silence after 18 games, exploded with a multi-hit performance and three times reaching base, leading the San Diego Padres to a comeback victory after knocking out two U.S. national team pitchers.

*This content was translated by AI.

San Diego Padres infielder Song Seong-moon (30) broke his prolonged silence and exploded on the Major League stage for the first time in a while. Facing 25-year-old right-handed starting pitcher Nolan MacLean, who represented the U.S. national team at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) held in March, Song hit multi-hits in his 18th game, leading his team to a thrilling comeback victory from the front.

On the 7th (Korean time), Song Seong-moon started as the eighth batter and second baseman in the home game against the New York Mets at Petco Park in San Diego, California, during the '2026 MLB season'. He played brilliantly with 2 hits in 2 at-bats, 2 runs scored, 1 stolen base, and 1 walk. With three times reaching base in 100% of his plate appearances, Song, who played a key role for the lower-order batters, saw his season batting average rise from 0.138 to 0.194.

It started well from the beginning. In the bottom of the third inning, Song, batting first, calmly drew a walk against opposing starting pitcher Nolan MacLean, opening the door to reaching base. He then boldly stole second base, adding to his season stolen base total. When Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a sacrifice fly, Song crossed home plate to score the team's first run.

His hitting form continued into the bottom of the fifth inning. Once again batting first, Song hit a two-run single through a 82.6 mph (approximately 133 km/h) sweeper from MacLean's second pitch. Later, after a sacrifice fly by a subsequent batter advanced him to third base, Song attempted a surprise steal of home during Ty France's at-bat but was caught in a rundown and out, leaving him with regret.

His true value was displayed again in the bottom of the seventh inning when the team was trailing 1-2. With one out and no runners on base, Song faced reliever Austin Warren. He attacked a 84.8 mph (approximately 136.5 km/h) sweeper on the sixth pitch. The ball bounced heavily toward first base and rolled away. Song sprinted with all his might to first base. While the flustered pitcher Warren failed to handle the ball smoothly, Song reached first base first and was recorded as an infield hit.

This was his first multi-hit game since the away game against the San Francisco Giants on May 6, exactly 18 games later, and the moment he completed his third time reaching base in the game. At the same time, it was his first multi-hit game in about a month.

The opportunity Song created with persistence became the foundation for the comeback. Freddie Fermin, who came up next, hit a two-run home run that broke the opposing pitcher's mound, and Song crossed home plate again to successfully turn the score to 3-2.

San Diego held onto the one-run lead gained from Song's reaching base and Fermin's home run until the end, securing a thrilling comeback victory against the Mets. As Song, who shed his recent slump and performed perfectly in offense, defense, and base running, there is growing expectation that he can accelerate his establishment in the Big Leagues through this game.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.