Atlanta Braves’ Ha-seong Kim (31) struggled against Chicago Cubs’ Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga.
On Thursday, Kim started as the ninth batter and shortstop in an away game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, but went hitless in three at-bats.
After failing to record a hit for the fourth consecutive game, Kim’s season batting average dipped to .123 (14 hits in 114 at-bats).
The Cubs’ starting pitcher that day was Japanese left-hander Imanaga, who proved to be a tough matchup for Kim.
In his first plate appearance in the second inning with two outs and a runner on first, Kim swung through Imanaga’s high fastball for a strikeout.
Kim came up again in the fifth inning with two outs and bases empty, but popped out to the first baseman.
In the eighth inning, Kim faced Cubs reliever Aaron Civale but again came up short, hitting a foul pop-up to the catcher.
With Atlanta trailing by two runs in the ninth inning, Kim was due up with two outs and a runner on third. However, he was replaced by pinch-hitter Mike Yastrzemski, who grounded out to end the game with Atlanta falling 4-8.
With a season record of 89-64, Atlanta maintained its lead in the National League East.
The Cubs improved to 85-68, holding second place in the National League Central and leading the wild card race.
Cubs starter Imanaga delivered a stellar performance, tossing six innings of one-run ball while allowing just four hits, walking none, and striking out eight. The win improved his season record to 11-10.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, a potential National League most valuable player (MVP) candidate, launched solo home runs in both the third and seventh innings, bringing his season total to 44. He now trails league leader Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies by just one homer.
In addition to his two long balls, Crow-Armstrong had a triple, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, three run batted ins (RBIs), and a walk in a dazzling performance.