Kim isn't cooling

The Hyun Soo Kim drama in spring training and the booing at Camden Yards on opening day seem almost comical as he works through his first major league season.

Kim wouldn't accept a demotion to Triple-A Norfolk, his contract stipulating that he must give approval. Fans considered him selfish after he looked so overmatched at the plate and in the field. The Orioles were considered a team forced to play with a 24-man roster.

Look how far we've come - the player, the crowds, the media.

Kim has two more hits today at Dodger Stadium, singles to right field and center field, and is batting .345. His .430 on-base percentage leads the team, though he's appeared in 43 games, compared to 80 for Manny Machado (.380) and 83 for Chris Davis (.345).

Even his outs are more impressive.

Kim flied to fairly deep center field leading off the top of the fifth inning. He's squaring up the ball, which he couldn't do while going hitless in his first 23 spring training at-bats before finally reaching on an infield hit on March 10.

Waiting for Kim to go cold? You may need to grab a Snickers.

Kim has six multi-hit games in his last 10 starts and 14 multi-hit games in 35 contests this season when he's received at least two at-bats. He's collected 17 hits in his last 41 at-bats for a .415 average. He has six hits in his last 14 at-bats.

Kim also leads American League rookies and is third in the majors with five three-hit games.

This is a guy who didn't get his first at-bat until April 10 and received only four starts in the season's first month. He went 0-for-2 on April 13 in Boston, but drew two walks. He batted once on April 14 and 28 and singled each time.

Kim's average dipped to .316 on June 17 due to a 3-for-24 slump, but he went 3-for-5 the following night against the Blue Jays. It hasn't been below. 324 since he heated up again.

Chris Davis has struck out in all three at-bats today against former Orioles pitcher Bud Norris. Kim has struck out 20 times this season in 159 plate appearances and has drawn 17 walks.

The Angels are starting three right-handers this weekend at Camden Yards, which likely gives Kim three more starts before the All-Star break. Mark Trumbo will also stay in the lineup, his two home runs today giving him 26 for the season to lead the majors and allowing the Orioles to tie the Dodgers 4-4 in the sixth inning.