Jake Cronenworth (San Diego Padres) started as the sixth batter and first baseman in the 2023 Major League Baseball game against the 안전놀이터 Angels at Petco Park in San Diego, California, on the 5th (Korea time) and scored three hits and three RBIs in four at-bats.
Kronenworth swung a bat against Angels starter Shohei Otani. In the bottom of the second inning, he hit a double in his first at-bat without a runner with two outs. He hit Otani’s 88.8-mile (about 142 km/h) cutter and hit a double. Since then, Gary Sanchez has struck out and failed to score, but he has been threatening from his first at-bat.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Cronenworth had a chance. With two outs and runners on first and second base, he came to bat for the second time. Otani’s first-pitch cutter was driven to the center. Kronenworth did not miss the ball. The ball hit the right-center fence. Both runners came home and Kronenworth stepped on the second base. San Diego took the lead with a two-run double.
He even hit a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Manny Machado’s hit and Xander Bogart’s two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, Cronenworth hit Otani’s first four-seam fastball to cross the right-center fence. It was his eighth homer of the season. Eventually, Ohtani, who had blisters on his fingers, came down from the mound.
Kronenworth played Otani for the first time in Major League Baseball. On the same day, he hit three long hits against Otani and became the first player in the Major League to hit three long hits in one game against Otani.
After the game, Kronenworth said, “I always enjoy the challenge. It’s always fun to deal with the best players. It’s good to get a chance to face a player like Otani. “It’s always a fun competition,” he said. “He’s one of the best hitters, one of the best pitchers.”
Kronenworth has 66 hits, eight home runs, 33 RBIs, 36 runs scored and a batting average of 0.220 OPS 0.688 this season. Coach Bob Melvin said, “I could see my confidence rising against a good pitcher,” adding, “I hope this is a really good game that makes him move.”