Kim Is Left Without Occasion to Celebrate

Byung-Hyun Kim is the first native of Korea to appear in the World Series, and he appreciates the significance of the accomplishment.

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ closer is pleased to be a source of inspiration for his countrymen, but those good vibes didn’t comfort Kim after an unpleasant experience Wednesday night in a 4-3, 10-inning loss in Game 4 to the New York Yankees before 55,863 at Yankee Stadium.

The right-hander flopped in his first Series appearance after four strong outings in the National League playoffs, failing to preserve a two-run lead after relieving Curt Schilling in the eighth inning.

Tino Martinez tied the score at 3-3 with a two-out, two-run home run to straightaway center in the ninth, triggering another wild Yankee Stadium celebration and negating Schilling’s impressive seven-inning performance on short rest.

Derek Jeter completed Kim’s failure in the 10th after Arizona Manager Bob Brenly sent his best reliever to the mound for a third inning.

On a full count, Jeter hit a two-out, walk-off homer to right--the ensuing celebration dwarfed the party triggered by Martinez’s homer--that pulled the Yankees even at 2-2 in the best-of-seven series.

“Sometimes, you throw a good game, sometimes you don’t,” Kim said through an interpreter. “That [his place in history] is good, but I didn’t think about that. All I thought about was throwing for my teammates.”

A historic night for Kim quickly became a nightmare for the stunned Diamondbacks, who rallied around their teammate while trying to figure out exactly what had happened.

“It’s a terrible situation to be in,” said Game 3 starter and loser Brian Anderson. “B.K. went out there throwing the ball great. He struck out the side [swinging] in the eighth, and he was just one [out] away in the ninth.

“That’s why these games are so big, because guys get locked in. Tino and Jeter just had great at-bats. You have to give them credit but ... it’s just tough.”

Kim had some shaky moments after being thrust into the closer’s role when Matt Mantei suffered a season-ending elbow injury three weeks into the season.

The right-hander had 19 saves in 23 chances, but still appeared better suited in a set-up role.

Until his impressive NL playoff run.

Kim, 22, worked 61/3 scoreless innings in the Diamondbacks’ victories against the St, Louis Cardinals in the division series and Atlanta Braves in the NLCS.

He had not pitched since the final game Oct. 21 against Atlanta. The Diamondbacks have a shaky bullpen at best, and Brenly decided that a rested Kim was his best option. “I wasn’t tired,” said Kim, who had five strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. “I wanted to throw. I’m not disappointed. We have more games to go.”