The water came up just right. Kim Ha-Sung (San Diego Padres) has soared. At this rate, he could become the first Asian infielder to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases.

Kim started at second base and batted leadoff against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday (July 17) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and went 2-for-5 with one home run, one RBI, and two runs scored. His .260 batting average rose to .263.

His performance was at its peak. Maybe he’s finally adjusted to the major leagues enough to showcase what he did in the KBO. The day before, Kim exploded for three hits in the first game of a doubleheader against the Phillies, and while he didn’t produce a hit in the second game, he drew two walks and reached base twice.

The good form carried over into today’s game. In his first at-bat, Kim launched his 11th home run of the season, a feat he accomplished in just 89 games this year after playing 150 games last year. The home run in his first at-bat extended his hitting streak to 13 games, beginning on March 30 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kim’s first at-bat was one of his best yet. Leading off the first inning, Kim lined a five-pitch fastball from Philadelphia “Ace” Zack Wheeler 86.1 miles (138.6 kilometers) out of the strike zone for a low sweeper. Despite the 32-degree launch angle, the pitch traveled 93.3 mph (150.2 km/h), sailing just over the left field fence for a solo home run.

It was Kim’s first home run of the second half of the season and his 11th of the year, tying him for the most home runs in a single season, a record he set last year. It was also his second leadoff home run in 21 days, coming on June 26 against the Washington Nationals. It traveled 352 feet (approximately 107.3 meters).

In his second at-bat, Kim couldn’t hide his disappointment. With a 1-0 lead and runners on first and second in the top of the third inning, Kim battled Wheeler for five pitches, and on the fifth pitch, Wheeler’s 95.6-mph sinker hit the outside track. The umpire called it a strike.온라인바카

After striking out, Kim shook his head and protested to the umpire, but it didn’t change the outcome. Despite his frustration, Wheeler’s five-pitch at-bat was a very slight outside pitch, and the fact that the second pitch, a 96-mph (154.5-kilometer) four-seam fastball, was ruled a ball despite the difference in height, must have affected his thinking.

The third at-bat was also disappointing. In the top of the fifth inning with a 3-1 lead, Kim stepped to the plate again, this time pulling a 95.2-mph (153.2-kilometer) sinker off Wheeler’s third pitch. It was a 107 mph (172.2 km/h) fastball that Kim hit very well, but it was caught in the glove of Philadelphia third baseman Drew Ellis.