Kim Ha-seong off to Promising Start for San Diego Padres

Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres posted two hits and an RBI in his debut game in Major League Baseball.

Kim started as a second baseman and sixth in the lineup in a home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park on April 3. The Padres won the game 7-0.

His first MLB hit came in the bottom of the first inning, when the Padres were up 1-0 with two outs and runners on first and second. He ripped a one-run base hit to left field off the Diamondbacks' southpaw starter Caleb Smith.

As the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the third inning, Kim grabbed another left-field base hit off Smith's four-seam fastball. He missed out on a walk in the fourth inning when he struck out on a questionable call by the umpire, ending the inning with the Padres' runners on first and second.

Kim was taken out of the game in the seventh inning, after a flyout in the sixth. His batting average is now 0.400 with two hits from five at-bats.

"I have to admit that it's hard to adjust. But I've been here for less than two months after playing in Korea for seven years. Ultimately, I believe baseball is the same," said Kim. "I hope I can do well... and get more opportunities."