KBO players enjoy moments in spotlight in exhibition vs. Padres
LG Twins starter Im Chan-kyu pitches against the San Diego Padres during an exhibition game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, March 18. Yonhap
In a losing effort, the defending Korean baseball champions LG Twins represented themselves well against the San Diego Padres on Monday.
The Twins fell 5-4 in their exhibition game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, as the Padres are gearing up for the season-opening Seoul Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Twins captain Oh Ji-hwan had a moment to remember in the bottom of the second inning, when he hit a solo home run off Padres ace Dylan Cease, the runner-up in the 2022 American League Cy Young Award voting.
"I knew about his credentials, and knowing that he would throw good fastballs, I wanted to get my timing right," Oh said. "He threw good sliders earlier in the at-bat. So I just wanted to time myself up for a fastball."
On the mound for the Twins, starter Im Chan-kyu recorded seven strikeouts in five innings -- all of them swinging variety.
"It was an honor to pitch today. I wanted to challenge major league hitters with my changeups and curveballs, and I am happy that it worked out well," Im said. "I didn't want to make any mistakes. But I think I got the better of these hitters because they were not familiar with the way I pitch."
The Twins went up against the Padres' two Korean players, former Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) stars Kim Ha-seong and Go Woo-suk, and Oh said their presence made the exhibition game that much more entertaining.
Oh Ji-hwan of the LG Twins, right, high-fives teammate Moon Bo-gyeong after hitting a solo home run off Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres during an exhibition game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, March 18. Yonhap
"I am sure this was a good learning experience for our young players," the 34-year-old shortstop said. "And because our own season is just around the corner, we wanted to approach this game as if we're trying to win. We gave our best effort."
The only two runs Im allowed came in the form of Kim's two-run homer in the second inning. Im hung a changeup over the plate and Kim didn't miss it.
"I learned right in that moment that you can't afford to make mistakes against major league hitters, because they will pounce on them," Im said. "But after that home run, I was able to work the corners pretty well."
Im said he hopes to take lessons learned from Monday's game into the KBO regular season, which starts Saturday.
"I tried to be as accurate with my pitches as I could," Im said. "And I think having this mindset will help me throughout the season." (Yonhap)