Kim Byung-hyun got Japanese hitter

Kim Byung-Hyun (22, Arizona Diamondbacks) won a victory at the confrontation with a Japanese hitter, which took place for the first time in the Major League history.

He took the mound at the 8th inning with no out and a runner on the first base, with a six-run lead 8-2, at an away game with New York Mets in Shea Stadium on 7th. After he struck out Mike Piazza and Robin Ventura, New York’s 4 - 5 hitters, and walked Todd Zeile, Kim had the historical first encounter with Shinjo 7th hitter of New York, who made two hits out of three batters this game before meeting Kim, with runners on 1st and 2nd bases, two outs.

Kim draw a popped fly ball with a 140km fast ball, and finished the inning. And he put out easily three batters at the ninth inning.

He could not earn a save due to too large point-gap, but lowered his ERA to 4.67 by recording no hit and 1 base on balls for two innings. He got three strikeouts.

This game was memorable for him because Shea stadium is the place he made his major league debut in 5. 30. 1999, and it was his 100th game in the major league.

Meanwhile the first pitcher-encounter between Korea and Japan in the major league was the match between Park Chan-ho, LA Dodgers and Irabu Hideki, Montreal Expos in April 5 last year, and Park won the match in a decision at the moment.

Zang Hwan-Soo zangpabo@donga.com