SEOUL - In a closely contested exhibition match on Sunday, the San Diego Padres narrowly defeated the South Korean national team with a score of 1-0 at the Gocheok Sky Dome.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Padres managed to score the sole run of the match in the first inning, a result of a wild pitch from South Korean starter Moon Dong-ju. Despite out-hitting the Padres five to four, the South Korean team failed to capitalize on late-game opportunities, leaving runners stranded against the Padres' bullpen.
In a significant homecoming, Kim Ha-seong, the South Korean shortstop playing for the Padres, returned to his former ballpark, making one hit out of four at-bats in front of 12,497 spectators. Kim had spent the latter five of his seven seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) playing at Gocheok.
The Padres are set to continue their exhibition schedule with a game against the LG Twins, the 2023 Korean Series champions, on Monday. Following this, they will compete in two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the season-opening Seoul Series on Wednesday and Thursday, marking the first time Major League Baseball regular season games will be held in South Korea.
Despite the challenging start, South Korean pitcher Moon Dong-ju managed to regain composure after the first inning, completing a cleaner second inning with the Padres failing to add to their early lead. Subsequent South Korean pitchers held the Padres to just four hits for the remainder of the game.
South Korea's batting efforts saw potential but ultimately lacked the timely hits needed to overturn the Padres' early lead. Notable moments included Moon Bo-gyeong's double in the seventh and two consecutive singles in the eighth, which did not result in scores. The ninth inning offered a final chance for South Korea to equalize or overtake the Padres, but despite initial promising moves, the inning ended with a double play, sealing the Padres' win.
The Padres' other South Korean player, reliever Go Woo-suk, was not utilized in the Sunday game.
SEOUL — In an exhibition match against the San Diego Padres, South Korean pitcher Moon Dong-ju, recognized as one of the country's emerging baseball talents, displayed both remarkable skill and erratic control on the mound at Gocheok Sky Dome.According to Yonhap News Agency, Moon, who is a starter for the Hanwha Eagles in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), demonstrated the power of his signature fastball, which had previously set records in the KBO for its speed. However, during the exhibition, control over his pitches proved challenging, leading to a series of walks and a wild pitch in the first inning.
Moon opened the game by walking the first three batters he faced and ended the first inning with four total walks and a wild pitch that inadvertently struck the home plate umpire. Despite these struggles, he limited the damage to just one run, which resulted from the wild pitch. His fastball, which had been anticipated for its velocity, averaged in the mid-90s mph during this initial inning, a dip from his record-setting speeds but still impressive.
However, the young pitcher showed adaptation and improvement in the second inning. Adjusting his approach, Moon was able to regain control, retiring the Padres in order with fewer pitches and without allowing any hits. His performance in the second inning demonstrated his potential and ability to adjust under pressure.
This exhibition game precedes a significant week for baseball in Seoul, with the Padres scheduled to play the Los Angeles Dodgers in a two-game series, and the Dodgers set to face "Team Korea" as well. Moon Dong-ju's outing against the Padres, despite its initial inconsistencies, has been a showcase of the raw talent emerging from South Korean baseball, highlighting his potential for future success in the sport.
SEOUL - As the South Korean national baseball team prepares for exhibition games against Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs, team manager Ryu Joong-il emphasizes enjoyment and learning over competition.According to Yonhap News Agency, the essence of the sport should remain a priority as his team faces the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. The aim for the players, especially the younger ones, is to leverage these exhibitions as a learning experience while engaging with the joy of the game. Ryu expressed his sentiments before Sunday's game, underlining the unique opportunity to play against world-class teams and urging his team to cherish the moment regardless of the outcome.
The Padres are also scheduled to play against the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on Monday, followed by two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming Seoul Series. These events mark the first MLB regular season games to be held in South Korea, highlighting the significance of the occasion for local fans and players alike.
Ryu highlighted the value of the experience, suggesting that encounters with MLB teams provide a rare and valuable opportunity for self-assessment and improvement for South Korean players. He aims for his team to emerge from the games with enhanced confidence and a deeper appreciation for baseball.
On the opposing side, Padres manager Mike Shildt expressed his curiosity and respect for the South Korean approach to baseball, anticipating a display of fundamental skills and strategic gameplay. He noted his team's readiness to face South Korean pitcher Moon Dong-ju, the KBO's 2023 Rookie of the Year known for his exceptional fastball velocity.
Shildt's approach reflects a mutual respect and anticipation for competitive play, ensuring that both teams gain from the international exposure and cultural exchange these games provide.