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Kang helps with bat, hurts with glove in 9-8 Pirates win

August 19, 2015

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Kang Jung-ho (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

By Brian Han

Although the Pittsburgh Pirates left PNC park on Tuesday with a 9-8 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kang Jung-ho displayed some outward frustration following a crucial error in the ninth inning that pushed the game to extra innings.

The South Korean shortstop was moved to third base in the ninth inning and missed a somewhat routine grounder after the switch. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Ender Inciarte reached first and eventually scored in a two-run inning that tied the game at 8-8.

Then in the bottom of the ninth, Kang had a chance to win the game with Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen in scoring position. He made hard contact against relief pitcher David Hernandez, but lined out to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt who then threw it to second to get McCutchen out to end the inning.

Kang returned to the dugout visibly upset and threw his helmet in anger after not being able to pull through for his team.

He did make offensive contributions by going 2-for-7 with a line drive solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, his 10th of the year.

The Pirates ended up scoring in the 15th inning when substitute shortstop Pedro Florimon drove in a run on a walk-off triple.

The two teams will play the final game of a three-game series in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The Pirates hold an impressive 70-47 record, but still trail the league-leading St. Louis Cardinals by five games.

You can watch a higher quality video of Kang’s hit and reaction here.