The cycling hit – a hit, double, triple and home run in the same game – is a rare feat. It has only happened 31 times in the history of the KBO since its inception in 1982.
Kim Young-woong (infielder), the “hit product” of the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), came close to a cycling hit in a home game against the KT Wiz at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, South Korea, on March 13. Kim, who started at third base in the No. 5 spot, hit his 24th home run of the season off KT starter Uhm Sang-baek in the first inning. In the third inning, he hit a single to right field to put runners on first and third.
Kim Young-woong added an RBI in the fifth with a double to right field off KT’s second pitcher, Sung Jae-heon, with runners on first and second after Lee Sung-gyu singled to left and Kang Min-ho walked. In the seventh inning, with the bases loaded and two outs, he singled to right to complete the four-hit game.
Kim’s four-hit game tied his career high for hits in a single game.
On the day, Kim’s cycling hit, which missed the third base line, helped secure the 7-2 victory.
After the game, Kim said, “I got a home run in my first at-bat, so I was able to relax and play with confidence. Most of all, I was happy that the team won,” he smiled.
After pulling a five-pitch changeup (126 mph) on a 2B-2S count with Uhm Sang-baek on first and second, Kim said, 카지노사이트 “I threw a lot of changeups last time and against him, so I was looking for (the changeup). Luckily, the ball went (right down the middle) and it became a home run.”
Kim Young-woong, who tied the record for most hits in a single game, said of his current hitting streak, “I think I got a lot of luck today. Honestly, two of them were good pitches that turned into hits. Still, it feels good.”
Park Byung-ho, the “national big gun,” encourages Young-woong to thrive. “If I don’t hit well, Byung-ho always says, ‘Let’s have fun. He always encourages me to have fun and be energetic,” said Kim, who expressed his gratitude.
Kim Young-woong, the team’s home run leader, is on track to hit 30 home runs in his debut. “I’m human, so I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a desire (to hit 30 home runs in my debut). It’s good to challenge when the opportunity comes, but you shouldn’t be greedy (for personal performance). You have to do it for the team,” he said.