'Oops,' Bae Ji-hwan's 'threat pitch → hit-by-pitch explosion' is too much; despite his first start since joining MIL, he remained silent... Song Seong-moon struck out on 3 pitches as MIL suffered a heavy 2-11 defeat [MIL-SD Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Bae Ji-hwan (27) got his first start since joining the Milwaukee Brewers but failed to record a hit. The team also suffered a heavy defeat.

On the 12th (Korea time), Bae Ji-hwan started as the cleanup hitter and second baseman in the road game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, for the 2026 MLB regular season. He went hitless in one at-bat with one strikeout, remaining silent.

Bae Ji-hwan had signed a minor league contract with Milwaukee on the 10th and was immediately added to the big-league roster. Before joining Milwaukee, he played 97 games for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets under the New York Mets organization this season, posting a .257 batting average, five home runs, 32 RBIs, 36 stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.728.

On the day of his transfer, the 10th, Bae Ji-hwan entered as a pinch runner ahead of defensive duties in the top of the 7th inning to make his big-league return appearance. Then, with the score tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the 7th and no outs with runners on base, he recorded a surprise bunt single and a stolen base, proving his presence. He sat out the game against San Diego on the 11th but was given an unexpected start opportunity today.

Milwaukee started Kyle Harrison as their pitcher. The starting lineup was arranged in this order: Bryce Turang (shortstop), Jackson Chourio (left fielder), Garrett Mitchell (center fielder), Jake Bauers (first baseman), William Contreras (catcher), Christian Yelich (designated hitter), Luis Lora (right fielder), David Hamilton (third baseman), and Bae Ji-hwan (second baseman).

San Diego countered with starting pitcher Walker Buehler. Their starting lineup was arranged as follows: Fernando Tatis Jr. (right fielder), Luisangel Hernandez (designated hitter), Manny Machado (third baseman), Ty France (first baseman), Jackson Merrill (center fielder), Austin Hays (left fielder), Luis Campusano (catcher), Xander Bogaerts (shortstop), and Jake Cronenworth (second baseman). Song Seong-moon was excluded from the starting lineup.

Bae Ji-hwan faced his first at-bat in the top of the 3rd with no outs and a runner on first base. However, opposing pitcher Buehler did not easily deal with him. He attempted to bunt on the first pitch but swung and missed. A fastball came in, and the runner on first advanced to second base.

Then on the second pitch, as Bae Ji-hwan took a bunting stance again to attempt a sacrifice bunt, Buehler threw a fast ball toward his face—a scene that could be considered a warning pitch. Startled, Bae Ji-hwan leaned back and barely avoided it. The ball thrown by Buehler accidentally hit Bae Ji-hwan's bat and became a foul ball. After catching his breath for a moment, Bae Ji-hwan stood up again and assumed his batting stance. The third pitch was also a foul. Ultimately, the fourth pitch thrown by Buehler struck Bae Ji-hwan's arm, resulting in a hit-by-pitch and allowing him to reach base. Although he might have expressed dissatisfaction toward Buehler, Bae Ji-hwan silently walked to first base without making eye contact with the pitcher.

Later, when Turang grounded out to first base, Bae Ji-hwan advanced to second base. He then reached third base on a ground ball to shortstop Chourio, but Mitchell grounded out to second base, and no runs were scored.

In the top of the 5th with one out and no runners on base, Bae Ji-hwan entered his second at-bat. The opposing pitcher was still Buehler. With a 2-2 count, he struck out swinging on the fifth pitch, swallowing his disappointment. That was all for Bae Ji-hwan's batting performance. He finished his game today when he was replaced by pinch hitter Andrew Vaughn in the bottom of the 7th with two outs and no runners on base, as the team trailed heavily 1-11.

Additionally, another Korean major leaguer, Song Seong-moon of the San Diego Padres, entered as a defensive replacement in the top of the 7th and played on the field. Song Seong-moon stepped up to the plate with two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the 7th but was retired on three pitches with a strikeout.

Meanwhile, San Diego recorded 17 hits, both singles and extra-base hits, and secured a decisive 11-2 victory. With this win, San Diego achieved four consecutive victories and improved their record to 64 wins and 57 losses. They currently rank third in the National League West Division. On the other hand, Milwaukee fell into a two-game losing streak with a record of 74 wins and 46 losses. They still hold first place in the National League Central Division.

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*This content was translated by AI.