Kim Byung-hyun: Big Sigh at the End

Smiled at the end of the tunnel!

Kim Byung-hyun (23) of Arizona Diamondbacks, who practically lost his chance to make another save, got a windfall win due to the blistering batting by his team members.

At the game on July 24th against Colorado Rockies at the Bank One Ball Park in Arizona, he took the mound in the top 8th, with 2 outs and all bases loaded. When he entered, the crowd gave a standing ovation. The ball count was for Kim, 1-2. But he pitch was honest, to say the least, and the Colorado batter hit a double, calling in home all runners, reversing the game for Rockies 4-5. By this time, he has blown up saves four times in this season.

But nobody can tell for sure when it comes to baseball. In the following bottom of the 8th Arizona turned around with McCracken’s double of 2 RBIs and Womakc’s 2 run homer, leading 8-5 again. Kim allowed 2 more hits in the ninth, but did not lose any more score, finishing the game for his team.

On the records, Kim recorded during the 1 and 1/3 of innings 3 hits and 2 strikeouts, but no point, since all the runners who loaded the bases in the 8th were not his. Therefore, his 12-game streak of no losing points was made this day.

His season record came to stand 4 wins, 1 loss and 26 saves. His ERA got better from 2.09 to 2.05.

In the meanwhile, the shortstop of Boston Redsocks made a new record. On July 24, which was also his birthday, in the first game of a double head against the Tempabay at the Panway Park, he made two 2-run homers in the 3rd and a grand slam in the fourth. By this, he became the first player who made three homers during the three consecutive innings and on his birthday.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com