Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Bae Ji-hwan reported a hit, one walk and two stolen bases in his debut game four years after entering the American Major Leagues.
Bae Ji-hwan became the 26th Korean big leaguer to debut in the big league since Park Chan-ho in 1994 by playing as second baseman in the match against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on the 24th (Korean time).
Bae Ji-hwan walked out in the first at bat without a two-out runner in the second inning against 2-2, and then immediately stole second base.
Bae Ji-hwan, who retreated to 3rd baseman in the 4th and a ground ball in 2nd in the 6th, finally hit a hit in the fourth at-bat without a one-out runner at the end of the ninth, which he chased 5-6.
The shortstop tried to clear a batted ball that was over the pitcher's height and rolled in front of center fielder, but it didn't reach it.
Bae Ji-hwan's first big league hit went straight to the Pittsburgh dugout.
Bae Ji-hwan stole second base again from the two-out first base, creating an equalization opportunity at once.
He made a strong impression by stealing two bases in one day.
Pittsburgh continued the spark that Bae Ji-hwan had saved and had a chance to finish the two-out base, but Carl Mitchell struck out and fell to his knees.
Bae Ji-hwan finished his debut with a hit in 3 at-bat.
After graduating from Gyeongbuk High School and signing a contract with Pittsburgh in 2018, Bae Ji-hwan advanced to Triple A this season after going through a minor league single A in 2019 and a double A in 2021.
He played 108 games in Triple-A, batting average of 0.289 (121 hits at 419 at-bats), 8 homers, and 53 RBIs. .
(Photo = Getty Images, Yonhap News)