*This content was translated by AI.
San Diego Padres' Song Seong-moon (30) adjusted his hitting rhythm with a hit in his first start in a while, but finished the game with a disappointing baserunning play and an early substitution.
On the 8th (Korea time), Song Seong-moon started at second base as the ninth hitter in the home game against the Houston Astros at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, recording one hit in two at-bats. His season batting average rose slightly from 0.208 to 0.213.
Song Seong-moon, who has been active as an infield utility player for the team, made it into the starting lineup for the first time in four days since the the 4th game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Although it was his first start in a while, his bat swung sharply from his first at-bat.
In the bottom of the third inning with the team trailing 0-3, Song Seong-moon faced right-handed pitcher Ronel Blanco in his first at-bat. Despite being in an unfavorable count of 1-2, he skillfully drove a 84.5 mph (approximately 136 km/h) changeup into center field for a hit. While the opposing right fielder Cam Smith fumbled the ball once, Song Seong-moon quickly reached second base. The play was not officially recorded as a double; it was scored as a single by Song Seong-moon and an error by the right fielder's glove.
However, a shocking scene unfolded with no outs and runners on second base. During Fernando Tatis Jr.'s at-bat, he attempted a surprise steal of third base but was thrown out in vain. This baserunning mistake left Song Seong-moon with four stolen base failures for the season. Notably, he recorded his second consecutive stolen base failure without success since August, leaving behind regrets about his baserunning performance.
In his second at-bat of the fifth inning, a grueling battle stood out. After reaching a full count of 3-2 and going to nine pitches, Song Seong-moon hit a ball straight toward the right fielder's position after attacking a 94.2 mph (approximately 151.6 km/h) four-seam fastball, resulting in an out on a fly ball.
In defense, he showed stable positioning without errors and prevented scoring opportunities, but Song Seong-moon did not get his third at-bat of the day. The San Diego Padres' bench brought in pinch hitter Hase Bowen to replace him before the bottom of the seventh inning.
Meanwhile, Robby Ray, who was traded from the San Francisco Giants to the San Diego Padres and made his first start since the trade on this day, struggled over five innings, allowing one home run, seven hits, five walks, two strikeouts, and five earned runs, leaving behind regrets. The San Diego Padres also lost 3-6.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
