Doosan Bears outfielder Kim Jae-hwan contributed to the team’s victory by hitting his third home run this season. As the knee pain has completely improved, it is expected that Doosan will rebound as the 4th hitter.
Kim Jae-hwan started as the designated hitter in the match against Gocheok Kiwoom Heroes on May 17 and contributed to the team’s 9-6 victory with 2 hits, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, 1 walk and 2 runs in 4 at-bats.
On this day, Kim Jae-hwan succeeded in getting on base for the first time by getting a walk after a full-count match with starting pitcher Jung Chan-heon in the situation of two outs on second base in the first inning. When Yang Seok-hwan’s timely double hit followed, he even scored by stepping on home.
Doosan Kim Jae-hwan contributed to the first all-hit game of the season by hitting his third home run of the season. Photo (Gocheok) = Reporter Kim Geun-han
Kim Jae-hwan entered the second at-bat in the top of the 3rd inning with no second base left. In a situation where they were being chased 4 to 3, Kim Jae-hwan hit Chan-heon Jeong’s 135km/h two-seam fastball on the second pitch and hit a two-run home run with a distance of 110m. It was the third arch of the season after a long time since the second home run against the KIA Tigers in Gwangju on April 8.
On this day, Doosan hit the Kiwoom mound with 14 hits, 5 walks, and 9 points, with Kim Jae-hwan and Lohas’ home run, and the season’s first all-starter hitting firepower show. On the mound, starting pitcher Lee Won-jae played only one inning and was knocked out early, while Kim Myung-shin (2 innings, 4 hits and 2 runs) and Lee Hyeong-beom (2 innings scoreless hold) showed off their performances. Hong Kun-hee also got on the mound at the end of the 9th inning and recorded his 9th save of the season.먹튀검증
After the game, Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop said, “In the game where the young pitcher started for the first time in his debut, the field brothers showed their concentration and delivered a good hit. Not only Kim Jae-hwan and Rojas, who hit home runs, but all batters hit well. Lee Won-jae had a good experience. The bullpen pitchers took care of the rest of the innings and were able to win.”
Doosan Kim Jae-hwan hit his third home run of the season on May 17 against Gocheok Kiwoom. Photo (Gocheok) = Reporter Kim Yeong-gu
Kim Jae-hwan, who hit a home run in a long time, said, “It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t stressed out because of the home run. Still, I’m happy with a good home run in a game my team wins. At the beginning of the season, I felt very sorry that I didn’t have a good influence personally. As other players gave more strength, I want to work hard together and show better performances in the future,” he said, expressing his feelings about a home run after a long time.
There was also great concern about Kim Jae-hwan’s knee condition, which was not good at the beginning of the season. However, Jaehwan Kim said, “As much as the manager and coaches paid great attention to him in the training part, his knee condition is now completely improved. Today, it seems like I sprinted from first base to home for the first time in a long time. He had to take turns hitting the designated hitter, but he was sorry for not being able to do so. I’m not a good defender, but I want to go out on defense often and help my teammates from now on.”
Kim Jae-hwan is holding a heart ceremony after hitting a home run. Photo (Gocheok) = Reporter Kim Yeong-gu
What impact did the reunion with hitting coach Koji Goto have on you during your personal career high in 2018? Kim Jae-hwan said, “I feel positive because he always talks about my strengths first, just like 5 years ago. We often talk about hitting mechanics rather than mentality. He emphasizes the feeling of throwing the bat in the direction of center fielder. I focus on practicing around that part,” he nodded.
It is also a great advantage for Kim Jae-hwan to have Yang Eui-ji and Yang Seok-hwan, who are right-handed hitters, in front and behind. The atmosphere is getting used to the heart ceremony with the two ‘Mrs.
Kim Jae-hwan said, “It’s really fun to be caught between the two Yangs (laughs). Is there a better location than that? Personally, it’s not easy to do a heart ceremony because I’m a very shy person, but the fans are enjoying it, so I’m courageous in my own way. There are about two players who are not shy and do it the most shamelessly, but I will not comment,” he said with a smile.