Padres' Kim Ha-seong extends hitting streak in 1st game as DH
Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres runs after hitting a ninth inning double against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, July 31. AFP-Yonhap
Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres has extended his hitting streak to seven games, playing a day after jamming his right shoulder on a slide.
Kim made his first major league appearance as designated hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Monday (local time). Kim exited Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers at home on Sunday after hurting his shoulder in a collision with catcher Sam Huff at the plate. Tests showed no structural damage.
Though the Korean infielder was considered day to day, he was back in action the very next game, in his usual spot at the top of the order.
San Diego Padres' Kim Ha-seong flies out against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber in the fifth inning of a baseball game at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, July 31. AP-Yonhap
Kim got his only hit of the game with a double in the top of the ninth inning. He grounded out in the first and drew a walk in the third before flying out in the fifth and grounding out again in the seventh.
The Padres tied the game at 3-3 with Trent Grisham's solo home run but lost the game 4-3 in 10 innings.
San Diego Padres' Kim Ha-seong uses a towel for cover as a steady drizzle falls in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, July 31. AP-Yonhap
Kim is now batting .279/.374/.448 for the season with a career-best 14 home runs and 39 RBIs.
He closed out July with a monthly batting line of .337/.449/.551. (Yonhap)