Pittsburgh Pirates Bae Ji-hwan once again produced a long hit with his crazy speed.
Bae Ji-hwan started as a center fielder and first hitter in the 2023 Major League Baseball away game against the Atlanta Braves held at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, 안전놀이터 USA on the 9th (Korean time) and recorded 1 hit in 4 at-bats.
The feeling of batting has really improved recently. Bae Ji-hwan hit in five consecutive games, starting with the Chicago Cubs game on the 28th of last month and ending with the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on the 3rd. Afterwards, he was silent in the game against the Milwaukee Brewers on the 5th, but soon began producing hits again and continued his streak of hits in 3 consecutive games until this day.
In particular, his performance in the previous game was very outstanding. Bae Ji-hwan exploded his first triple since his major league debut in the match against Milwaukee on the 7th, which led to the game-winning game-winning hit, and later scored a wedge goal, taking the lead in the comeback victory. And on this day, his long balls exploded.
Pittsburgh Pirates Bae Ji-hwan./Getty Images Korea
Pittsburgh Pirates Bae Ji-hwan./Getty Images Korea
In Bae Ji-hwan’s first at-bat as the leadoff hitter in the top of the first inning, he hit an 89.6 mph (approximately 144.2 km) sinker toward the top of the strike zone on Atlanta’s starter Bryce Elder’s fourth pitch, hitting a hit toward the left field foul line. It was a hit that had difficulty leading to a long hit. However, at this time, Bae Ji-hwan passed the first base and started running toward second base.
Bae Ji-hwan ran toward second base without a moment of hesitation, and as a result of his sliding as his helmet came off, he was ruled ‘safe’ at second base. The only regret is that although he created a scoring opportunity with his incredible speed, he did not score a follow-up hit.
He got off to a good start in his first at-bat, but had no hits in subsequent at-bats. Bae Ji-hwan faced Elder in the top of the third inning with a scoring chance with one out and two on second base, and put out his bat for a sinker that was driven into the middle of the strike zone on the first pitch, but had to be satisfied with recording an ‘advance base hit’ as he was retired by a ground ball to first baseman. Then, in the top of the 6th inning, when he was down 0-8, he hit a high fastball toward his body and retired with a fly ball to left field.
Pittsburgh Pirates Bae Ji-hwan./Getty Images Korea
Pittsburgh Pirates Bae Ji-hwan./Getty Images Korea
The result of the fourth at-bat was also disappointing. Bae Ji-hwan hit a four-seam fastball high up in the 92.6 mile (approximately 149 km) strike zone on the third pitch from replaced pitcher Dylan Lee while on first base with no outs in the top of the 7th inning, trailing 2-8, but recorded a ground ball to the shortstop. Bae Ji-hwan got on base with a ground ball and then settled on second base on a hit by Brian Reynolds, but again, he completed his mission at the plate without any additional hits at the right time.
The match between Pittsburgh and Atlanta that day was a complete victory for Atlanta. In particular, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Eddie Rosario soared. It was Atlanta that broke the tight balance early in the game. Atlanta succeeded in taking the lead in the bottom of the third inning with Rosario hitting a timely hit with one out and bases loaded on hits by Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, and Marcell Osuna.
Atlanta’s scoring streak continued. In the ensuing bases-loaded opportunity, Travis Dano brought in two runners, and Orlando Arcia made an additional timely hit, running away to 4-0. Then, in the top of the 5th inning, Acuna Jr. drew his 35th arch of the season, and Rosario hit a two-run shot, widening the gap to 7-0.
Atlanta, riding on the momentum, actually won the game in the 8th inning when Acuna Jr. hit a timely hit in the 8th inning with 2 outs and runners on third base. Pittsburgh caught up late in the top of the sixth inning when Jack Swinski hit a two-run home run, but the gap that had already widened was not easily narrowed, and Pittsburgh bowed to Atlanta with a score of 2-8.