BK Takes Double Role, Middleman-Closer. `

“Am I Really a set-up man?”

Boston Red Sox Kim Kim Byeong-hyeon (24) who has been demoted as a set-up man, once again proved that he is the only one promising closer by succeeding in earning 2 wins and 1 save in the last three days. Kim now marks 8 wins, 9 losses and 12 saves.

It was yesterday an away match against the Chicago in Whitesox in the U.S. Cellular Field. Kim went to the mound in the bottom of the ninth inning when the score was a tie by 4-4 and became the winning pitcher by pitching for 2 innings against 7 hitters. He struck out 2 hitters without losing a point but allowing 2 hits.

He appeared when the score was a tie, so his role was certainly a set-man. Kim, however, also played as a closer as he continued pitching in the extra inning, when his team was losing by 4-5, as David Otis had hit a solo come-from-behind homer in the top of the 10th. Kim was on a forced march, as played on five consecutive games since the match against New York Yankees in August 31. Coaching staff showed concerns over his accumulated fatigue, but Kim repeatedly insisted to appear. He showed a very aggressive pitching. The fastest pitch of Kim on the day was 147km and out of 30 balls, 20 were strikes.

There was, however, a dizzy moment when Frank Tomas made a hit to the left field and Magglio Ordonez made a hit through second. Fortunately, Kim was, however, relieved as Aaron Rowand of the Whitesox was tagged out while inordinately running toward the home plate

Hence, the manager Grady Little, who announced to introduce a group closer system as his team fell into a slump since the recent match against New York Yankees, actually let Kim player a double role of a set-up man and closer.

The ERA (Earned Run Average) since moving to the Boston dropped from 3.65 to 3.55. His seasonal ERA also improved from 3.62 to 3.55.

Kim went to the mound at the match against the Philadelphia Tuesday in the 8th inning when his team was losing by 7-9 and become the come-from-behind winning pitcher who also played the double role. Following the match, Kim also appeared and won a save in match against the Whitesox in the 9th inning, when his team was leading the game by 2-1.

Meanwhile, Atlanta Braves Bong Jung-keun(23) appeared in the away match against the New York Mets, the first match after returning to the Big League in August 28. He went to the mound in the bottom of the 6th inning when his team was losing by 1-6. He pitched for one inning and gave 2 four-balls but allowed no hit and no run. The Atlanta lost the match by 3-9.

Hwan-Soo Zang zangpabo@donga.com