Kim Byung-Hyun “You Are A Good Closer”

“That`s what we were looking for.”

Red Sox manager Grady Little was pleased with Kim with match against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays yesterday.

Yeah, what could someone possibly want more, if a closer pitched a perfect ninth when the team is leading the game by one point, sending out batters in a one-two-three order.

Kim(24) earn his first save on his second consecutive day of play since being moved from Red Sox`s starting rotation to the bullpen in the closer`s role

It was away match against Tampa Bay held yesterday at the Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Kim took the mound at the bottom of the ninth inning when his team was leading the game by 5-4. He then simply pitched 7 balls (6 strikes) and made all the three batters retired in quiet order with infield groundrs. It was Kim`s first save to earn since he earned a save against Colorado Rockies last September 30. It was also, in total, the 71st save.

The save, however, has a great significance in many respects. Boston, which is ranked No. 1 in the batting average (0.229) among the 30 major league clubs, has an explosive offense power, but unstable closers have long been its weakest point. Boston, however, now see a hope from Kim as Kim showed a perfect pitching not only Wednesday without giving a single score during 2 innings but also yesterday as well.

Kim now has proved of his superior talent in pitching for few innings. He wants to be a starting pitcher but, in reality, he is suitable as a closer, considering his pitching style. His pitching style is so complicated that batters find it hard to figure out his style during 1 or 2 innings.

Kim, who earned his first save, is now 3-6 with a 3.38 ERA and a save in his season record and is 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA and a save since moving to Boston.

Meanwhile, Seo Jae Weong of the NewYork Mets became a losing pitcher against the Montreal Expos at the home ground. Seo was the starting pitcher but gave 5 hits, 2 four balls, 5 scores to Montreal during 3 1/3 innings. He is now 5-4 with a 3.35 ERA, a leap from a 3.09 ERA.

He showed an excellent pitching until the 3rd inning with giving only 1 hit, but at the 4th inning, when his team was leading by 4-0, lost his pitching control because of mistakes from defense and the umpire`s tight decision.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com