Kang Jung-ho hits his first double of the new season

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ third baseman Kang Jung-ho has hit his first double of the season.

Kang went 1-for-4 in the Pirates’ 5-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Sunday. His only hit of the game came in the top of the ninth inning when he bashed a line-drive double to left field against Jared Hughes.

It was Kang’s second hit of the season, following his 1-for-3 performance on the opening day of the season. The game against the Reds on Saturday was called off due to rain. Kang is now batting .286.

The 31-year-old Korean had a tough start. Batting sixth in the order, his first duel against Sonny Gray in the top of the first ended with a ground out to a short stop.

In the top of the third, Kang reached the first base on four straight balls but didn’t score after his teammates failed to produce additional hits. In the top of the fifth, Kang flew out to center, and in the top of the seventh, he struck out against Robert Stephenson.

But in his final at-bat in the game, Kang hit a double off Hughes’ sinker on a 2-2 count.

Yonhap