They’re 2-8 in their last 10 games, with a .386 winning percentage. The four-hit barrier has been breached, and the “national team” infielder has been sent to the second team after committing three crucial errors. This is the unfortunate reality of the Samsung Lions.
Samsung removed Kim Ji-chan (22) from the first-team roster for the upcoming games against the Lotte Giants and the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Sajik Stadium in Busan on Monday.
Kim is the third player on the team with the most innings played at a specific position, despite a late start to the season due to an injury suffered in pre-season training. As such, Samsung’s second base was unthinkable without him.
However, he developed defensive anxiety issues, and Park Jin-man couldn’t stand by and watch, so he made a decision.
Samsung has had a tough season. Since the start of the season, the team has suffered a number of injuries, including Kim Ji-chan, and the main bats have struggled. The team’s batting average ranks ninth with a .252 average, and the mound has been shaky, with a team ERA of 4.77. In some ways, it seemed like the last place finish was a foregone conclusion.
The defense was a different story. Samsung was at least second in the league with 42 errors, so Kim Ji-chan’s defense against Lotte on April 28 was shocking.
In the top of the first inning, Kim Ji-chan made a throwing error on a grounder to second base by leadoff hitter Ko Seung-min. It allowed a run to score to start the inning.
Things got worse in the fourth inning. Samsung had a 5-1 lead, but Kim didn’t seem to be relaxing. With the bases loaded, he missed another grounder from Yoo Kang-nam, allowing a run to score. You could see he was shaking. He had a chance to make up for his mistake when Park Seung-wook grounded to the second baseman, but this time he made a throwing error. The inning should have ended without a run, but runners were on first and second and third.
Suarez, who had been pitching well, was shaken. He gave up a single to Han Dong-hee, giving up two runs, and Park Jin-man had his third baseman, Kang Kang-ul, take second base before replacing Kim Ji-chan with Kim Ho-jae. It was a reprimanding choice. Kim gave up singles to Kim Min-seok and Lee Hak-joo, giving up another run. He induced a grounder to Ko Seung-min at second base, but the runner from third came home in the meantime to tie the game at 5-5, and Samsung eventually lost 6-9.
Kim has been doing his job at the plate this season with a .290 batting average, but on defense he has committed a team-high nine errors. It’s true that Kim Ji-chan, who is in his fourth year as a professional, forms a keystone alongside second-year player Lee Jae-hyun (20), so the pressure can be heavy and he can never be 100% satisfied with his performance, but the defense left a lot to be desired on this day.바카라
Park Jin-man, who was an outstanding defender for the national team and was considered one of the best shortstops in the league, must have felt even more complicated watching the shaky infield. He was well-received as an acting manager and was promoted to full-time manager, but has had a bitter season due to a combination of bad luck.
Samsung called up pitcher Heo Yoon-dong to the first team in place of Kim Ji-chan. The game was canceled due to rain. Samsung will return home for a three-game weekend series against the Hanwha Eagles, who are on a six-game winning streak dating back to March 30.