Luckless Byung-Hyun Kim

Even after solid pitching, Byung-hyun Kim (24, Arizona Diamondbacks) lost due to poor performance by the team`s offense. However his excellent pitching was of note and was enough for recognition as one of top pitchers in the Major League.

On April 25, the U.S. Professional Baseball Exposition match between Arizona vs. Montreal was held at Montreal Olympic Stadium in Canada. Kim stepped onto the mound as starting pitcher and for seven innings, Kim showed off obtaining five strike-outs, letting go of three hits (including one home run), 3 foul-balls and lost a point. However Kim’s team offense failed and the Diamondbacks lost at 0-1. This is his fourth defeat (1 win, 4 losses) of the season though his average only decreased from 3.75 to 3.19.

“Kim threw excellent pitches. I find no problems with him,” said Bob Brently. Like Bob’s comment, Kim did in fact show fantastic pitching. Among his 105 pitches, 68 were strikes. Especially in the fifth inning, except for one hit, all his hits were grounders. In his six innings, Kim didn’t allow any foul-balls.

Not having fully recovered from a right ankle injury, Kim rained down 146-km fast balls, sinkers, changeups and rising curve balls on the Montreal offense.

In the seventh inning, Kim faltered for a moment after a solo home run by first batter, Vladimir Guerrero. Difficulties in ball control allowed consecutive foul-balls and a hit, leading to fully loaded bases. However Kim caught a pinch-hit and put an end to an additional score by the opposing team. He was replaced by Mike Myers at the end of the eighth inning.

Arizona blew chances to score in the first inning with third base loaded, in the second inning with first and third bases loaded and in the fourth inning with first and third bases loaded due to failed follow-up hits.

Although Kim lost the game, he managed to record a quality start (Starting line-up with more than 6 innings and a record of less than a 3 point loss) for three consecutive games since playing Colorado on April 15. Kim is now acknowledged to be one of the top starters in the team’s line-up.

Chang Jeon jeon@donga.com