Is Bae Ji-hwan a Super Sonic, tied for 5th in steals… ‘Boldness from the first pitch’
Bae Ji-hwan, who hit his first walk-off home run in the game the previous day (12th) after his debut in the Major League (MLB), continued to play an active role with two bases. In the match that day, he stirred the opponent’s infield with quick feet like ‘Super Sonic’. Above all, he stood out for his boldness in rushing to second base without delay from the first pitch.
Bae Ji-hwan started as the first hitter and shortstop in the 2023 Major League home game against the Houston Astros at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on the 13th (Korean time), recording no hits in two at-bats, two walks, one steal, and one strikeout.
Bae Ji-hwan’s batting average for the season slightly decreased from 0.242 to 0.229. Choi Ji-man, who hit a home run in the last two games in a row, was absent.
On this day, Pittsburgh failed to pick up a single point after sporadic 3 hits and empty balls, and lost 0-7. However, Bae Ji-hwan made a strong impression once again by developing a stable defense along with quick feet.
Bae Ji-hwan, who was in charge of the leadoff, resigned after striking out on a swing after five pitches in the first inning. Houston’s starting pitcher is Jose Urquidi. With a ball count of 1-2, Urquidi threw a 130.8 km curve that dropped the 5th pitch. Bae Ji-hwan held out the bat slightly and quickly took it back, but the third base umpire admitted the swing was wrong.
Bae Ji-hwan stably handled the opponent’s straight hit and fly ball in the defense at the beginning of the second inning.
Pittsburgh was behind 0-1 in the bottom of the 3rd inning with no runners and 2 out. Bae Ji-hwan calmly picked out a walk after a six-pitch game against Urquidi. The next scene was impressive.
The next hitter is Brian Reynolds. While Urquidi struck the first fastball, Bae Ji-hwan started running without delay. From the first pitch, he boldly ran without any hesitation and caught the state battery off guard. The result is safe. 메이저사이트
The opposing catcher’s throw to second base wasn’t bad, but Bae Ji-hwan’s feet were very fast. After sliding again, he could have been pushed out due to elasticity, but his feet did not come off the base until the end. Bae Ji-hwan, who succeeded in stealing base number 3 of the season, tied for 5th in the National League in this category. He is 3 behind Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta), who ranks 1st in stolen bases in the National League.
In the 6th inning, the ball that could have led to a lucky hit was caught by the opponent’s hobi. Bae Ji-hwan, who started as the lead batter, attacked the third pitch. The batted ball, which was somewhat eaten, floated toward the left center. At this time, while left fielders, center fielders, and shortstops gathered, Houston left fielder Corey Jerks made a diving catch. It was the moment Bae Ji-hwan’s hit was deleted.
Bae Ji-hwan entered the last at-bat in the 8th inning with the team trailing 0-7 with no runners out and two out. Bae Ji-hwan walked after a five-pitch game, and then went to third base when Reynolds hit a heavy hit. However, Andrew McCutchen struck out on a swing and failed to score. In the end, Pittsburgh lost 0-7.