KB News Desk
San Diego Padres infielder Song Seong-mun drove in a run in his return to the majors.
Song batted ninth and started at third base against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Sunday, going 0 for 2 with an RBI, a walk and a stolen base. His batting average dipped from .202 to .198.
The Padres squandered a late lead and lost 5-4 in 11 innings. San Diego (72-65) has dropped three straight games since Friday and remains third in the National League West.
Song, who was optioned to the minors Aug. 25, was recalled after Luis Rengifo and Gavin Sheets were placed on the injured list. Rengifo sustained a knee injury and Sheets hurt his foot in Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay, sending both players to the 10-day IL.
Major League Baseball rules generally require position players who are optioned to remain in the minors for at least 10 days, but they may return sooner as injury replacements. The roster moves gave Song another opportunity after his playing time had recently diminished.
After being retired in the third and fifth innings, Song delivered a sacrifice fly to right with one out and a runner on third in the seventh, extending San Diego’s lead to 3-1. Facing Rays reliever Cam Booser with a 3-1 count, Song lifted an inside fastball deep into the outfield for his first RBI since July 20 against the Kansas City Royals.
With two outs and a runner on second in the ninth, Tampa Bay intentionally walked Song. He then completed a double steal with Xander Bogaerts, recording his 13th stolen base of the season.
The Padres entered the bottom of the ninth with a 3-1 lead, but closer Mason Miller allowed two runs in one inning for a blown save. San Diego was unable to regain the lead in extra innings.
(This article was produced with the assistance of AI. — Ed.)
