"I will definitely fix it!" SD manager expresses regret over Sung Seong-moon's stolen base out, ultimately does not use him the next day

*This content was translated by AI.

On the previous day (the 8th), Sung Seong-moon (30), whose reckless but bold stolen base out left San Diego Padres manager Craig Stamens (42) with lingering regret, did not appear in the game the following day.

San Diego secured a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros at Petco Park in San Diego, California, on the 9th (Korean time). The win was driven by starting pitcher Michael King's six-inning, one-run quality start and Jackson Merrill's two-hit performance, including a go-ahead home run that drove in two runs.

However, Sung Seong-moon, who was excluded from the starting lineup that day, could not secure a substitute appearance opportunity until the end of the game and had to watch his team's victory from the bench.

In the 8th-inning game, with San Diego trailing 0-3, Sung Seong-moon led off the bottom of the third inning. After getting a hit, he made a bold base-running attempt to reach second base, creating a scoring opportunity with no outs and a runner on second. Officially, this was recorded as an error by the opposing team following Sung's single. However, during the next batter Fernando Tatis Jr.'s at-bat, after one ball, he attempted an inexplicable stolen base to third base and was called out, squandering the opportunity. Houston ultimately won 6-3.

Craig Stamens, San Diego manager, expressed regret and reflection in an interview. According to local media San Diego Union-Tribune, immediately after the game on the 8th, Manager Stamens told reporters: "With a three-run deficit, with the leadoff runner on second base and the top of the lineup coming up at bat, I should have given the 'no steal' signal (referred to as red light)." He added, "I think I trusted him too much. Both he and I need to correct this, and we will fix it immediately tomorrow."

The manager's public commitment to "fix it immediately" was clearly reflected in San Diego's lineup decisions for the game on the 9th. The Padres activated their regular lineup players Fernando Tatis Jr., Jake Cronenworth, and Manny Machado, giving Sung Seong-moon not a single at-bat throughout the entire game. There was no substitution for either defensive or base-running purposes.

On this day, San Diego took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning on Merrill's ground ball but allowed a solo home run in the top of the second. However, they extended their lead to 3-1 with Merrill's solo home run in the bottom of the third and an opposing defensive error in the bottom of the fourth. Although Houston scored one run in the top of the ninth, San Diego held on without allowing any further runs. Despite the victory, for Sung Seong-moon, it was a day where the manager's strong message weighed heavily.

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*This content was translated by AI.