The `Big Three` Play in Exhibition Games

Monday was the first time the `Big Three` Korean Major League starting pitchers were seen in exhibition games this season.

Like their different styles, their performances were different. Park Chan-ho (Texas Rangers), who is looking for a comeback this year, and Kim Byung-hyun (Arizona Diamondbacks), who wants to be changed from closer to starter), did not play up to expectations, but Kim Sun-woo (Montreal Expos) hardened his position for the team with solid pitches all around.

Although it was an exhibition game, 6 hits and 5 earned runs in two innings were too much for Park Chan-ho. What was worse, the Milwaukee Brewers are not a team known for their offense. He got in trouble by allowing 2 runs in with 3 consecutive hits in the first inning, and allowed 2 more runs with two poorly placed balls. He allowed 4 runs in the 1st inning, and also allowed 3 hits and a run in the 2nd inning. Texas, which has fallen into a 3-game losing streak, fortunately won the game 14-8 with the help of explosive team batting, but Park`s pitches were disappointing overall. “I did well in the bullpen, but I had a problem with concentration because it was the first game, so control was bad,” he said after the game.

“I was too excited,” said Kim Byung-hyun. This was understandable because it has been two and a half years for him since his `substitution` appearance against the Colorado Rockies in September 2000. Kim, on Monday, could not be relaxed mentally, and was not able to throw his unique pitches. He allowed 4 hits and 3 runs in two innings against the Chicago White Sox. He only gained two strikeouts. His pitches totaled 40, a bit too many for the rookie. However, even with bad pitching, Kim`s facial expression was bright. “It was only an exhibition game,” he said. “I was overly excited before the game. I had a problem with timing and the mixing of balls.” He will have a 2nd chance against defending World Series Champions, the Anaheim Angels on the 7th.

Kim Sun-woo has never disappointed his team since donning the Expos uniform last year. He was traded from Boston to Montreal in the middle of the season and played four games in the late season. He chalked up one win while only allowing two runs in 20 and one-third innings with an ERA of 0.89.

Kim, who is aiming to enter the starting rotation full-time this season, started against Atlanta and showed off excellent pitching with two hits and no runs in 3 innings. He allowed a double as soon as he started, but put out three consecutive hitters with grounders, and was 3-up and 3-down in the 2nd inning. He finished the 3rd inning with one hit and no runs. The future of Kim Sun-woo, in the `fifth starter` position, seems to be off to good start.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com