KIA Tigers infielder Kim Do-young showed off his batting performance by hitting home runs in both practice games compared to the Korean Series. Some say that he succeeded in hitting 40 home runs and 40 steals in addition to the extra 40 home runs. It was the result that Kim was able to realize the hitting effect once again.
Kim Do-young started as the third batter and third baseman in a practice game against the Lotte Giants at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 14th and contributed to his team’s 5-4 victory with two hits, one homer, one RBI and two runs from three times at bat.안전놀이터
Kim entered the batter’s box with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. Kim was struck out swinging at the fastball of 153 km/h from the opponent team’s starting pitcher Lee Min-seok.
However, Kim had a hit right away at his second batter’s box in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kim had a clean hit to the left in the face of Park Joon-woo, a changed pitcher in the bottom of the fourth inning. Then, when the follow-up hitter Choi Hyung-woo had a hit to the right, he showed off his flagship ability to run to the third base. Kim then homered when Na Sung-bum hit a sacrifice fly ball to center field, and scored the first run.
KIA allowed Yang Hyun-jong, who took the mound in the top of the fifth inning, to come from behind after Yoon Dong-hee hit a timely hit with two RBIs in a crisis with one out and runners on the second and third bases.
KIA, which fought back, balanced the game with Kim Do-young’s home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Kim Do-young hit a large solo home run to the left with a flying distance of 131.9 meters by hitting a 144km/h fastball on the third pitch with a ball count of 2B against pitcher Jin Seung-hyun, who was changed after two outs. Kim Do-young hit another home run after a two-run home run in a practice game with the Sangmu Baseball Team on the 9th.
KIA turned the game around again by hitting a three-run home run slightly over the central fence in the bottom of the seventh inning with Han Jun-su’s changed ball in the opportunity of one out and runners on the first and second bases with Kim Sun-bin and Byun Woo-hyuk’s walk. In the top of the eighth inning, Jeon Sang-hyun gave up a two-run timely double to Shin Yoon-hoo, but the early inning ended due to the practice game situation, so it went straight to the top of the ninth inning. KIA confirmed its victory in the top of the ninth inning with closer Jung Hae-young ending the game without a run.
KIA infielder Kim Do-young started as third batter and third baseman at a practice game against Lotte at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 14th, and had two hits, one homer and two runs. Yonhap News
KIA infielder Kim Do-young started as third batter and third baseman at a practice game against Lotte at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 14th, and had two hits, one homer and two runs. Yonhap News
“Following the last practice game, I had good batting performance at bat today as well. I was worried that I might fall off in the Korean Series, so I wanted the schedule for the Korean Series to come soon,” Kim said after the game. “I had a hit at my second at-bat and turned it closer to a level swing at my third at-bat, but I have no regrets about my attempt at a big swing at the time. If I get a chance again, I realized something now, so I’m confident that I won’t miss it at that time.”
KIA has been spending a long preparation period of nearly four weeks for the Korean Series. It was his first time experiencing this, but he was spending more time focusing on himself than listening to others.
“I have no experience in preparing for the Korean Series, but I didn’t ask anyone how I would do it,” Kim said. “I’m still getting good results, so I’m only focusing on my routine. I think I’ll be able to regain stability in defense in line with the Korean Series,” Kim said. “I watched the first round of the playoffs, and Samsung hitters did a good job. Personally, I can’t see the ball well at Lions Park, but I can see the ball well at Jamsil Stadium. However, as long as I get a sense of hitting, I don’t care what kind of stadium it is.”
Kia’s team will begin its training camp from Friday. It will be a turning point where visitors can truly feel the spirit of the Korean Series.
“I think I will be able to rest peacefully after finishing the Korean Series soon. It felt different when I packed my things at the camp. It was fun to pack my things,” Kim said. “And my dad was watching the playoff game with me and told me to listen, ‘Park Dong-won often hits third base.’ It was meant to prepare well for defense, but I just ignored it and went to the bathroom.”