Byoung-hyun and Jae-eung Miss their Chance for a Second Win

Kim Byoung-hyun, 25, (Boston Red Sox) and Seo Jae-eung, 27, (New York Mets) both failed to win the second game of the season. Choi Hee-seop, 25, (Florida Marlins) appeared as a clean up hitter for the first time this year with one hit.

Kim started against the Cleveland Indians in Jacobs Field on May 6, allowing six hits (one homer), two walks and five runs (four runs earned) over three and one-third innings pitched.

Seo started against the San Francisco Giants in Shea Stadium, New York, giving up two runs, allowing six hits and one walk over four and one-third innings. He now has one win and three losses and lowered his ERA from 5.06 to 4.91.

Both pitchers achieved their first win on April 30. Kim struggled with his control while Seo suffered from breaking his nail earlier in the day.

Allowing two runs from a solo homer and a triple in first inning and one run by two hits and a sacrifice fly in the second inning, Kim also surrendered a run with a wild pitch and a fielding error in the third inning. Kim was replaced with a runner on second base and one out in the fourth inning, leading 5-4. The Sox finally won 9-5.

Seo gave up a tie by allowing three straight hits in the second inning, leading 1-0. Seo had to leave the mound because of his broken right index finger nail with a runner on third base and one out in fifth inning with a 2-1 lead. The Mets won 8-2.

Meanwhile Choi struck out in the first inning and popped out to center in the third, but ripped a shot to right with a runner on first and one out in the sixth inning.

He grounded out to the first baseman in his last at-bat in the eighth inning, with one hit for four at-bats. His batting average dropped slightly to 0.268. Florida won 2-0, ending a four game losing streak.

Chang Jeon jeon@donga.com