Ji-Man Choi (32, San Diego Padres) recorded his first hit since joining the Padres, a game-winning RBI single, to help San Diego win its seventh straight game.
Choi hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park in San Diego, California, U.S., on April 21. Choi’s RBI single gave San Diego a one-run victory (3-2) and extended their winning streak to seven games.
After batting fifth and starting the previous day (Feb. 20), Choi went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout, but started the game off the bench today (Feb. 21) even though Colorado’s starter was right-hander Chase Anderson.
The game was a pitcher’s duel, similar to the previous day. Colorado took the lead in the top of the first inning on a two-run homer by Brandon Rogers, and San Diego got a run back in the bottom of the first when Xander Bogaerts singled, advanced to third on a stolen base and an error, and scored on a Juan Soto grounder. Neither team’s offense would add another run until the top of the seventh inning.
The balance shifted in the bottom of the seventh. Soto led off with a walk, Manny Machado was hit by a pitch, and Garrett Cooper followed with a single to put runners on first and second. Colorado pulled Anderson and brought up Justin Lawrence, but Matthew Batten singled to load the bases.
San Diego tied the game at 2-2 with a single to right by pinch-hitter Luis Camposano. Jose Asoka then walked and Choi pinch-hit for him. Choi watched the first pitch and then swung at a 94.6-mile-per-hour (152.2 km/h) sinker on a 1-0 pitch with a two-pitch count. It sailed straight toward the center field fence, but Colorado center fielder Brenton Doyle made a jumping catch in the warning track. The catch, which traveled 393 feet (119.8 meters) at 106.8 miles per hour (171.9 kilometers per hour), denied Choi his first hit since joining San Diego, but allowed the runner at third base to cross home plate with time to spare and cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Padres held on to the one-run lead and won their seventh straight game. After a quality start by starter Seth Lugo (6 innings, 7 hits, 7 strikeouts, 2 walks, 2 runs), the quartet of Luis Garcia (1 inning, 1 hit, 1 strikeout, 1 walk, W), Scott Barlow (1 inning, 1 hit, 1 walk, hold), and Josh Heider (1 inning, 1 hit, 1 walk, save) cleaned up the remaining three innings. 스포츠토토
Meanwhile, Kim Ha-seong, who missed the previous three games with abdominal pain, took full batting and fielding practice ahead of the game. According to San Diego manager Bob Melvin, Kim was ready to come off the bench and was even considered for the game, but did not appear in the game. “I think he’ll be able to play after a day of rest,” Melvin said, adding that he was optimistic about Kim’s availability.