Byung-hyun’s 7th Win

Kim Byung-hyun (23, Arizona Diamondbacks, photo) v. Eric Gagne (26, LA Dodgers).

They are the two top-notch saviors of National League, and took on each other on August 27 at the Dodgers’ Stadium. Result: victory of Kim.

Kim with 32 season saves (6th) successfully defended the win for 2 innings with one hit and two strikeouts. On the other hand, Gagne with 44 saves (2nd) blew up one save by allowing 2 hits and 1 score during 1 and 2/3 innings.

Gagne took the mound first. Dodgers, top second among the NL West teams, beat No. 1 Arizona’s Ace Curt Shilling and led the game 3-2 by the 8th. Gagne was substituted in the 8th with one out and one runner on the first base. Then, he threw fast balls hovering over 150 km and struck out two hitters in a row. But in the ninth when 2 outs were made and the first base was loaded with a runner, he allowed a devastating double to pinch-hitter Dellucci, which earned one score and made the game a tie.

The balance of 3-3 tie was not broken up to the bottom 11th, when Kim took the mound. Then, Kim easily got out three hitters. In the 12th, Arizona sprinted. It turned the game for it with 3 hits, 2 base on balls and error, making the score 6-3.

In the bottom 12th, Kim allowed a hit to Roberts, but grounded out the following three hitters. Thus he recorded his 7th win, exceeding his personal record of 2000’s 6 wins (6 losses). Kim’s ERA is 2.12.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com