Padres’ Kim hits 47th career MLB homer, ranks 3rd among Korean hitters


Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres ended a two-month home run drought, launching his 47th career MLB homer during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Saturday.

With the Padres trailing 4-0 in the second inning, Kim sent a 94.7 mph inside sinker into the seats in left field. The ball left his bat at 102 mph and traveled 405 feet.

The two-run shot marked Kim’s 11th homer of the season and his first since June 23 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

With 47 career home runs, Kim moved into third place all-time among South Korean MLB players, surpassing Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Kang Jung-ho, who has 46 homers. Choo Shin-soo leads the list with 218 homers, followed by Choi Ji-man with 67.

Kim is batting .229 this season.

Despite Kim’s efforts, the Padres struggled overall, grounding into four double plays and ultimately losing the game 7-3 to the Rockies.

Source: Yonhap News Agency