KANSAS CITY, MO – Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Kim Hye-seong made a resounding return to the lineup, recording two hits and a stolen base, significantly boosting his season batting average to .383. His strong performance, however, wasn't enough to secure a win for the Dodgers, who fell 9-5 to the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Kim, 26, who had been absent from the starting lineup for six days since the Dodgers' game against the Washington Nationals on June 23, seized his opportunity with aplomb. Batting eighth and playing second base, he went 2-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored, raising his season average from .372 (31 hits in 81 at-bats). This outing extended his hitting streak to five games in appearances where he has had an at-bat.
His impact was immediate in the second inning. With two outs and nobody on, Kim drew a walk off Royals starter Seth Lugo. Wasting no time, he promptly stole second base, marking his seventh successful steal of the season in as many attempts, maintaining a perfect 100% stolen base rate.
Although he struck out in his second plate appearance in the fourth inning, Kim continued to demonstrate his offensive prowess in the sixth. With two outs and a runner on first, he hit an infield single. Kim's sharply pulled grounder off Lugo's 92 mph cutter found its way past the second baseman, resulting in a crucial infield hit.
In the top of the ninth, with the Dodgers trailing significantly at 1-9, Kim led off the inning and delivered another crucial hit, this time a single to right field off Kansas City's fourth pitcher, Sam Long. His single off Long's 84 mph slider put him on first, and he later came around to score on Max Muncy's two-out, bases-loaded single to right field as the Dodgers mounted a late-game rally, scoring four runs. Despite the ninth-inning surge, the deficit proved too large to overcome.
Ohtani's Dominant Mound Return
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani also made headlines with a stellar, albeit brief, pitching appearance. Making his third start of the season, Ohtani threw two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out one. More notably, Ohtani unleashed a fastball clocked at 101.7 mph (163.7 km/h), marking a new career-high velocity. This continues to demonstrate his remarkable two-way ability, even as he gradually ramps up his pitching workload after his previous injury.
The loss snapped the Dodgers' six-game winning streak, moving their record to 52-32. Despite the defeat, they maintain their comfortable lead atop the National League West division standings.
Lee Jung-hoo Struggles Continue
Across the country, San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo, also 26, continued to struggle at the plate, going hitless in three at-bats against the Chicago White Sox in a 1-0 loss. This marks his second consecutive game without a hit, following a 0-for-4 performance against the White Sox the previous day.
Lee's season batting average dipped from .248 to .246 (74 hits in 301 at-bats). His struggles in June have been particularly pronounced, with his monthly batting average plummeting to a mere .156 (12 hits in 77 at-bats).
In his at-bats, Lee flew out to right field in the second inning, to center field in the fifth, and to left field in the seventh, failing to get on base. The White Sox, the team with the worst winning percentage in the American League (27 wins, 56 losses), secured their lone run in the sixth inning on a solo home run by Andrew Benintendi.
The Giants, now 45-38, will look to bounce back in the final game of their three-game series against the White Sox on June 30. This recent slump for Lee is a point of concern for the Giants, who rely on his leadoff presence and offensive contributions. His impressive start to the season seems to have hit a significant roadblock, and the team will be eager to see him regain his form as they push for a playoff spot in the competitive National League. His adjustments at the plate in the coming weeks will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
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