Bae Ji-hwan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who contributed to the team’s victory, aims to survive the rest of the season.
Bae Ji-hwan contributed to the team’s 13-9 victory by recording 3 hits, 2 runs, 1 RBI, and 1 strikeout in 5 at-bats in the 8th home opener against the Chicago White Sox at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on the 8th (Korean time). did.
It was the best day for him and his team, Pittsburgh. In front of 39,000 spectators who filled the stands for the home opener, they won after a good game. There was also a scene where Andrew McCutchen, who returned to Pittsburgh, was applauded by the home fans.
After meeting with reporters after the game, he said, “There were a lot of spectators before the home opener, and I grew up watching McCutchen play when I was young.
On this day, Bae Ji-hwan made full use of his quick feet. In particular, in the 4th inning, he came out as the lead batter and made a hit with a surprise bunt.
Putting a bunt on opponent starter Lucas Giolito’s changeup, he said, “I didn’t know the ball until I hit the bunt. He didn’t know the type of pitch, but when he got a changeup, he went back and forth like throwing a bat. I guess today was the day,” he said about the scene at the time.
He said, “(For bunt), the fastball is the best. I think the fast ball is a little easier. Breaking balls are hard because they bend and consume a lot of spin. In today’s case (whether to bunt or not), it would have depended on the course. If he fell outside, he would have let it go because he had no intention of sending it to third base. If the ball rolled in, it would have gone in my direction,” he continued, explaining the bunt.
After revealing that he decides most of the bunt attempts, he said, “I think there are times when coaches want it. Even if there are times when I want to hit, he often tells me that ‘now is a good time’. In the end, I think I do it when I want to.” 메이저사이트
He changed his defensive position from defense to center fielder in the beginning of the 9th inning.
When asked which position he preferred, second baseman or center fielder, he answered “designated hitter.” “I’m having a hard time, but the coaches think I’m strong,” he laughed.
In particular, the difficulty in defending second base will be the aftermath of the ban on defensive shifts. He said about the change, saying, “In the past, I prepared for where the ball would go and went over there, so there was a difference between a ball to catch and a ball to send.
With this game, Bae Ji-hwan recorded a season batting average of 0.304 (7 hits in 23 bats), an on-base percentage of 0.333, and a slugging percentage of 0.522. A good start.
Regarding this, he said, “I feel good,” but “It’s only been a week. The beginning may be good, but the ending may not be good. The goal is to go all the way. Now I have to survive,” he said, emphasizing that his goal is to continue a good flow for the rest of the season.