National Baseball Team Lost 0–1 to San Diego… Moon Dong-ju Sacrifices the Finish Line with a Wild Pitch
The Korean batting line scored more hits than San Diego, but the Korean young guns did well against the San Diego heavy hitters.
The Korean national baseball team had a tight match with the San Diego Padres of the Major League Baseball (MLB), but lost by one point.
The ‘young Korean baseball team’ led by coach Ryu Joong-il lost 0–1 in an evaluation match against San Diego in the 2024 MLB Seoul Series held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul on the 17th.
The Korean young guns did well against the San Diego strong team, but the batters were unable to score despite having several opportunities.
San Diego starting shortstop Kim Ha-seong, facing the Korean national team for the first time, had 1 hit in 4 at-bats. 토토사이트
Bullpen pitcher Go Woo-seok, who joined San Diego this year, did not go on the mound but watched the game from the dugout.
The winning run came from San Diego’s attack in the bottom of the first inning.
Moon Dong-ju (Hanwha Eagles), who emerged as the ace of the Korean national baseball team starting at the Hangzhou Asian Games last fall, struggled with control in the early stages of the game and contributed one run without allowing a hit.
As soon as the first inning started, Moon Dong-ju gave up a series of walks to Sander Boharz, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jake Cronenworth, putting himself in danger of having the bases loaded with no outs.
Moon Dong-ju, who took a breather by striking out Manny Machado with a 144 km/h cut fastball, also set up Kim Ha-seong with a 151 km/h fast ball to the shortstop with a fly ball.
However, Urickson Profar committed a wild pitch at the plate and gave up 1 point.
In addition, a walk was allowed to Profar, putting the bases loaded with two outs again.
Moon Dong-ju lured Luis Campsano with a 127 km/h curve and struck him out, ending the first inning without allowing any additional runs.
Moon Dong-ju, who regained his composure, made a three-way penalty in the second inning.
Moon Dong-joo’s performance on this day was 2 innings, no hits, 4 walks, 1 run, 2 strikeouts.
He reached a maximum speed of 155 km/h with his fastball and did not give up a single hit, but due to poor ball control, Moon Dong-ju suffered defeat.
Afterwards, Won Tae-in (Samsung Lions) pitched 2 innings, 3 hits, no runs, and 3 strikeouts, Shin Min-hyuk (NC Dinos) 2 innings, no hits, no runs, 2 strikeouts, Jeong Hae-young (KIA Tigers) 1 inning, 1 hit, no runs, and Choi Jun-yong (Lotte) 1 inning, no hits.
The young guns, who are called the future of Korean baseball, completed their mission without allowing any runs and striking out just one.
While Won Tae-in was guarding the mound, a match that caught the attention of Korean baseball fans also took place.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, with 2 outs and runners on first base, Won Tae-in threw a fastball to Kim Ha-seong and was hit by a hit that fell to left-center.
In the KBO League, Won Tae-in defeated Kim Ha-seong with no hits in 8 at-bats, but allowed a hit in the rematch with Kim Ha-seong, who has solidified his position by playing in the big league since 2021.
However, Won Tae-in ended the inning without allowing a run by striking out Profar on a missed swing with two outs and runners on first and third base.
Korea’s young hitters hit 5 hits on this day, one more than San Diego (4 hits).
However, no goals were scored.
After one out in the top of the first inning, Dong-hee Yoon (Lotte Giants) hit a 155 km/h sinker from San Diego right-handed starting pitcher Johnny Britto to the right field.
However, Kang Baek-ho (KT Wiz) and Noh Si-hwan (Hanwha) withdrew with heavy hits.
In the second inning, leadoff hitter Moon Bo-kyung (LG Twins) got on base with a walk and stole second base when Kim Joo-won (NC) struck out, but there was no timely hit.
In the 5th inning, when Choi Ji-hoon (SSG) got on base with a walk and reached second base on a wild pitch from the opponent, San Diego right fielder Tatis Jr. fell and caught Kim Seong-yoon (Samsung)’s missed ball that would have landed between first baseman and right fielder in the 5th inning.
After one out in the 7th inning, Moon Bo-kyung immediately placed himself in scoring position with a double to left-center, but Kim Joo-won and Choi Ji-hoon hit consecutive infield ground balls.
After two outs in the eighth inning, Korea had a chance to get on first and second base with consecutive hits by Kim Hye-seong (Kiwoom Heroes) and Yoon Dong-hee, but Baek-ho Kang retired with a pitcher’s ground ball and the inning ended without a score.
In the last attack of the top of the 9th inning, Noh Si-hwan’s hit to right and Moon Bo-kyung’s walk gave the team runners on first and second base with no outs, and a final chance.
However, pinch hitter Park Seong-han (SSG) hit a fly ball to third base, and Choi Ji-hoon hit a double play in front of first base.
It was a meaningless ending.
On this day, 12,497 spectators entered Gocheok Dome to watch Korea’s young national team compete against big league stars.
