Ji-Hwan Choi (32) and Bae Ji-Hwan (24), the ‘Korean duo’ of the Major League Pittsburgh Pirates, flew wildly. The green light was also turned on for joining the opening entry.
On the 25th (Korean time), Choi Ji-man started as the designated hitter in the 2023 major league exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Machant Stadium at Publix Field in Lakeland, Florida, USA, and played an active part with 2 hits in 4 at-bats.
In addition, Bae Ji-hwan, who is playing on the same team, also played as a substitute and performed well with 1 hit, 2 steals and 2 runs, including 1 hit. The two combined for 3 hits, 2 steals and 2 runs.
Choi Ji-man succeeded in his second multi-hit in an exhibition game two weeks after making a multi-hit against the Philadelphia Phillies on the 11th. His exhibition batting average also increased from 0.259 to 0.290.
It was the first time in 5 days that Choi Ji-man played in the game after the match against the Baltimore Orioles on the 20th.
Choi Ji-man scored a right-handed hit against Detroit starter Eduardo Rodriguez in a situation where there were no runners out in the first inning. However, his follow-up hitter, Rodolfo Castro, struck out and failed to advance.
In the third inning, after two deaths, he attacked Rodriguez’s sinker with a ball count of 2-0 and hit a double. Choi Ji-man’s 3rd double in an exhibition game. However, this time, the follow-up Castro was unable to score as he only grounded to the second baseman. Choi Ji-man withdrew with strikeouts in the 6th and 7th innings. 메이저놀이터
Bae Ji-hwan was brought in as a substitute that day and flew with 1 hit, 2 stolen bases and 2 points in 1 at-bat. The exhibition batting average rose to 0.270.
Pittsburgh trailed 3-5 in the top of the 7th. Bae Ji-hwan stepped on the ground as the lead runner for Mark Mathias, who went on base with a hit. Immediately after, he succeeded in stealing second base, and stepped on the home plate when Ki Brian Hayes’s tying home run followed.
Then, in the top of the ninth, Pittsburgh trailed 5-6. Bae Ji-hwan, who started as the lead batter, got a right-handed hit against the changed pitcher, Brandon White, and succeeded in stealing second base again. He went on to third base on an opponent’s fourth base, and scored the tying run on Ernie Ordones’ infield grounder. In the end, Pittsburgh tied Detroit 6-6. Bae Ji-hwan’s bold base run play prevented the team from losing.