San Diego Padres' Song Seong-mun (30) recorded a hit for the first time in six games.
Song Seong-mun started at second base batting eighth in the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington, on the 16th (Korean time), going 1 for 4 with one RBI. San Diego won 2-0 and moved to within half a game of the National League West leader Los Angeles Dodgers.
Song Seong-mun, who signed a four-year contract with San Diego worth $15 million (about 22.5 billion won) this season, made his major league debut on the 27th of last month against Arizona and recorded his first hit on the 6th. He was then silent with five consecutive hitless games excluding pinch‑hitting appearances, but he got a hit in his sixth game. His season line stands at nine games with a .176 batting average (3 for 17), four RBIs, three runs, two stolen bases and an OPS of .535.
San Diego's starting lineup was Jackson Merrill (center field), Fernando Tatis Jr. (right field), Manny Machado (third base), Gavin Sheets (first base), Xander Bogaerts (shortstop), Miguel Andújar (designated hitter), Ramón Laureano (left field), Song Seong-mun (second base) and Freddy Fermin (catcher). Sheets, Bogaerts, Andújar and Laureano had multi‑hit games.
Starter Randy Vasquez delivered six innings, four hits, one hit batsman, three strikeouts and no runs to earn his fifth win of the season. The bullpen of Adrian Morejon (one scoreless inning) — Jason Adam (2/3 scoreless inning) — Mason Miller (1 1/3 scoreless innings) preserved the team's victory. Miller picked up his 14th save of the season.
Seattle's starting lineup was Brendan Donovan (third base), Julio Rodriguez (center field), Josh Naylor (first base), Randy Arozarena (left field), Luke Raley (right field), JP Crawford (shortstop), Dominic Canzone (designated hitter), Col Young (second base) and Johnny Pereda (catcher). Arozarena battled with a solo multi‑hit effort.
Starter Emerson Hancock took the loss after six innings, five hits (one home run), one walk, six strikeouts and one run. The bullpen of Cooper Criswell (one inning, one run) — Jose A. Ferrer (one scoreless inning) — Alex Huff (one scoreless inning) also allowed runs.
In the top of the second, leadoff hitters Sheets and Bogaerts delivered consecutive hits. Andújar was retired on a hard grounder to shortstop, but Laureano's hit produced a bases loaded, one out opportunity. With the chance to seize momentum, Song Seong-mun, batting for the first time in the situation, hit into a shortstop double play and squandered the opportunity.
In the top of the fourth, with one out, Sheets walked. Bogaerts popped out to center, but Sheets successfully stole second and Andújar knocked in the game's first run with a two‑run double. Laureano struck out.
Leading off the fifth, Song Seong-mun, after a video review, recorded an infield single to third base. But Fermin hit into a 6‑4‑3 double play that also erased Song. Merrill struck out.
In the seventh, with one out, Andújar and Laureano hit back‑to‑back singles. With one out and runners at first and third, Song Seong-mun hit a grounder to first that allowed Andújar to score, producing an RBI groundout. In the next at‑bat with two out and a runner at second, Fermin grounded out to second.
In the bottom of the eighth, with one out, Donovan singled and Rodriguez drew a walk. Naylor flied out to center. San Diego brought in closer Miller, but Arozarena's hit created a bases‑loaded, one‑out threat. Miller struck out the corner batters to escape the jam without allowing a run.
In the top of the ninth, leadoff hitters Sheets and Bogaerts hit consecutive singles and an error created a no‑out, second‑and‑third chance. But Andújar and Laureano were retired on routine outs, and Song Seong-mun popped out to right, failing to convert it into a run.
In the bottom of the ninth, Crawford walked to lead off. Rob Refsnyder struck out and Young singled. But Mitch Garver and Donovan both struck out and the game ended.
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