'With' Song Sung-moon's MLB adaptation nearing completion, 158 km/h fastball → 178 km/h batted ball speed! 3G consecutive hits + 4th stolen base of the season [SD Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Is Song Sung-moon (30, San Diego Padres) nearing the end of his MLB adaptation? He built momentum by making solid contact on a 158 km/h fastball and stealing second base.

On the 11th (Korean time), Song started at shortstop and batted ninth in the home game against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, recording 1 hit in 4 at-bats, 1 strikeout, and 1 stolen base.

This marked his third consecutive game with a hit, dating back to the matchup against the New York Mets on the 7th. As a result, Song's season batting average rose slightly from 0.193 to 0.200. His OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) dipped from 0.532 to 0.529.

The opposing starting pitcher for the day was Brady Singer, a right-handed pitcher and former first-round prospect. Song struggled against Singer, whose primary weapons include a sinker and two-seam fastball with significant movement.

In the bottom of the third inning, Song grounded out to second base. He failed to make solid contact while attempting to hit a pitch on the edge of the strike zone. In the bottom of the fifth, he struck out swinging on his second at-bat. Once again, Song swung and missed at Singer's slider and cutter before taking a fourth-pitch slider that dropped deep inside the zone.

It was only after right-handed reliever Jack Maxwell, known for his high-velocity fastball, entered the game in the bottom of the seventh that Song found his rhythm. Maxwell threw a fastball clocked at a maximum of 100.3 mph (approximately 161.4 km/h), which Song repeatedly hit hard. Maxwell also showed signs of being unsettled as Song held his ground in an unfavorable 0 balls, 2 strikes count.

Song eventually turned a 98.2 mph (approximately 158 km/h) fastball down the middle into a powerful batted ball with a exit velocity of 110.4 mph (approximately 177.7 km/h). Although Cincinnati first baseman Nathaniel Lowe made a diving catch, he failed to secure the ball on the first attempt. With the pitcher's base coverage delayed, Song comfortably reached first base.

Later, Song successfully stole second base for his fourth stolen base of the season, even as the catcher moved outward to block the throw.

The game was also dramatic. San Diego's starting pitcher, Michael King, delivered a quality start (six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs), allowing 7 hits (2 home runs), walking 3 batters, striking out 3, and giving up 3 earned runs over 6⅔ innings. Cincinnati's starter Singer also pitched well, allowing 6 hits, walking 1, striking out 5, and giving up 2 earned runs over 6 innings, leading to a tight contest.

The bullpen battle was also fierce. In the top of the seventh with two outs and the score tied 2-2, Cincinnati's J.J. Bleday hit a solo home run over the fence to shift momentum back to the Reds. In the top of the eighth, E.J. Suárez added another run with a one-run home run over the left-field fence.

San Diego's resilience was no small feat. In the bottom of the eighth, leadoff batter Jackson Merrill reached base with a double to left field. Gavin Sheets followed with a sacrifice double down the left-field line, scoring one run to tie the game. Samad Taylor then delivered a bases-loaded single to center field, tying the score at 4-4.

The ninth inning brought contrasting fortunes. In the top of the ninth, with no outs and a runner on first, Bleday hit into a double play, dousing the Reds' momentum. Meanwhile, in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a solo home run over the left-field fence, leading San Diego to a dramatic 5-4 victory.

San Diego maintained second place in the National League West with a record of 35 wins and 32 losses, while Cincinnati remained in last place in the National League Central with 32 wins and 35 losses.

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*This content was translated by AI.