For the first time in his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Kim Ha-seong (27, San Diego Padres) hit two home runs in the same game, extending his MLB record for most home runs in a single season to 14.
Kim hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning of the Padres’ 2023 Major League Baseball home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, on Friday (July 25), batting first and second. It was Kim’s third career leadoff home run.
Facing Pittsburgh right-hander Quinn Priester, Kim took a 149-kilometer-per-hour fastball on the fourth pitch and arched it over the left-center field wall for a solo shot. The pitch was clocked at 162 mph and traveled 118 meters.
In the fifth inning, Kim showed off his long ball power once again.
Trailing 1-8 with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Kim lifted a 135 mph slider from Friston over the left field wall. The pitch was clocked at 155 mph and traveled 111 meters.
Pittsburgh left fielder Brian Reynolds leaped and threw out his glove, but the ball settled in the outfield bleachers.
Kim hit his 12th home run of the season on April 23 against the Detroit Tigers, breaking the record for most home runs in a single season in the big leagues.
He hit eight home runs in 2021, his first year in the big leagues, and 11 arches last year.
With his second home run in two days, Kim extended his personal record for home runs in a single season to 14 in San Diego’s 101st game in the 162-game Major League Baseball season.
With 18 stolen bases, Kim is also on pace for 20 home runs and 20 steals.
Pittsburgh’s Korean-American left-handed hitter Choi Ji-Man, 32, was left out of the starting lineup even though San Diego sent out right-handed starter Darvish Yu to start the game. 파워볼게임