Bae Ji-hwan (Pittsburgh Pirates먹튀검증) hit for two consecutive games and succeeded in stealing the base for the fourth time in the season, but could not prevent the team from losing.
On the 15th (Korean time), Bae Ji-hwan started as the first batter shortstop in the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) away game against the St. Louis Cardinals held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, and recorded 1 hit in 3 at-bats, 1 walk and 1 steal.
Bae Ji-hwan, who hit two consecutive games, raised his batting average from 0.231 to 0.238. He also set his personal record for most stolen bases (four) in a single season.
However, Pittsburgh lost 0-3 due to a lack of cohesion even with eight hits.
Pittsburgh, who had 8 wins and 6 losses, narrowed the gap by 2.5 games to the Cincinnati Reds (5 wins and 8 losses), the lowest in the National League Central Division. St. Louis recorded 6 wins and 8 losses, ranking 4th in the same division.
Bae Ji-hwan got on base from his first at-bat. Bae Ji-hwan, who started as the lead batter in the top of the first inning, was hit by a ball thrown by starting pitcher Jake Woodford and walked to first base.
However, Bae Ji-hwan was out at second base when Brian Reynolds hit the ball, and was unable to advance.
Bae Ji-hwan retired with a grounder and strikeout to the second baseman in the top of the 3rd and 5th innings, respectively, but produced a hit in the last at-bat.
In the top of the 7th inning, with the team trailing 0-1, with no runners out, he hit left-handed against left-handed bullpen pitcher Jack Thompson.
Bae Ji-hwan then stole second base with his quick feet when Reynolds was at bat, connecting the opportunity to tie the game, but Reynolds struck out.
Pittsburgh, which was trailing by one point, collapsed by allowing two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning when the bullpen was activated. The second pitcher, Duane Underwood Jr., gave up two runs while giving up three hits and a walk.
Pittsburgh starting pitcher Yohan Oviedo struck out 10 in 7 innings and allowed 1 run, but was unable to support the runners’ runs and took the loss.
In St. Louis, Nolan Gorman played a key role in the victory with 3 hits and 2 RBIs in 4 at-bats. Gorman broke the balance of 0 by hitting a heavy hit at the bottom of the 6th inning with 2nd out and 2nd base, and hit a right-handed hit at the bottom of the 8th inning when the team led 2-0, with 1st out and 1st and 3rd base, putting a wedge in the victory.
Meanwhile, Choi Ji-man missed the game due to ankle pain.
Choi Ji-man was initially named in the starting lineup as the 4th hitter and first baseman, but he was excluded just before the game.
The reason for Choi Ji-man’s exclusion from the selection was ankle pain. The Pittsburgh club said, “Choi Ji-man felt uncomfortable with his left ankle and was removed from the lineup. Choi is currently undergoing diagnosis and treatment for the injured part.