‘BK’ 30 Saves ‘OK’

‘30 Saves’

The ‘Korean Nuclear Submarine’ Kim, Byung-Hyun (23) of the American pro baseball club Arizona Diamondbacks set a tie record of the team for most saves in a single season.

Kim, Byung-Hyun got his 30th save of the season by defending an inning with one hit, one base on balls, one strike out, and no runs allowed at a home game against the Cincinnati Reds at the Bank One Ball Park in Arizona on the 21st, and set a tie record with Greg Olson, who had 30 saves in 1998 when the team was born. If he adds one more save, he will be recorded as the pitcher with most saves in a single season among the closers.

He took the plate in the beginning of the 9th inning when the team was leading 5-3. He showed uneasy start by giving up a hit to the right to the first batter Barry Larkin, but got the next two batters with grounders, so it was two out with a runner at the second base. Right at that point, the confrontation with Austin Curns, who showed an excellent hitting sense that day with 3 hits in 3 at bats and 2 RBI’s including a homerun, was the turning point. Because a big one can make a tie game, Kim, Byung-Hyun threw carefully and gave up a base on balls after tight match up that went to 10 pitches.

However, he controlled the next batter Sean Casey with a grounder to the first base and went up to the 30 saves hill. He is in the 7th place in the National League relief pitcher ranking. Total number of pitches was 22 (14 strikes), and the ERA was dropped to 2.24.

Despite of setting a record, Kim, Byung-Hyun showed dissatisfaction after the game, “I was upset because I gave up a hit and a base on balls even with favorable ball counts. I was lucky not to gave up runs.”

He said, “Recently, I am using fastballs not to allow big hits and to induce grounders, and today, I used fast balls mostly. I am not particularly greedy about making 40 saves. I just throw whenever I have an opportunity for a save.”

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com