Hyun Soo Kim on his improvements at the plate (Trey Mancini to Triple-A)

After he struggled in spring training and then declined an assignment to the minor leagues, there are probably quite a few people surprised that Hyun Soo Kim has a .500 batting average right now. Sure it is only a handful of at-bats, but in spring training Kim hit just .178 and looked overmatched at times.

The first Korean-born player in Orioles history now also has his first career RBI. Kim went 2-for-4 and drove in a run in the Orioles' win Saturday night at Kansas City. But he said he didn't even get the ball from that first run batted in.

"I was really excited that the team won. That is what I'm most happy about," Kim said Sunday in the Orioles clubhouse, through his translator Danny Lee.

Kim has made just three starts for the Orioles on April 10, 13 and 23 along with one pinch-hitting appearance. But so far, he is taking advantage of his chances. He is 5-for-10 and yes, he's had a few infield hits. But he'll take that batting average.

He said some pregame work with the coaches has paid off for him.

"I am definitely doing a lot of work in the cages and swinging a lot every day to be ready for the games," Kim said. "I've taken a close look at the pitchers that I could possibly face every day. So I'm ready for any games that I could possibly play in.

"I definitely feel more relaxed. I am trying to be aggressive being more relaxed facing some pitchers. I believe the results are coming better than what I expected. But I will try harder to improve my swing so I can have a better swing and better hits to be a better player."

Kim had a short answer when asked if he is playing better and feeling better at the plate than he did during spring training.

"Definitely," he said.

I asked him whether there is a velocity difference that he's been dealing with between the Korean Baseball Organization and MLB.

"There is a slight velocity difference. But baseball is baseball, and I believe it is all about playing the game and playing the same baseball," he said.

A few notes from the O's series in Kansas City:

* The Orioles had a season-high 14 hits in their win Saturday at Kansas City. But they were held to a total of three runs and nine hits in the two losses at Kauffman Stadium. Sunday they recorded season lows in runs (one) and hits (four). Their two lowest hits games were in this series as they were held to five hits on Friday night.

* Sunday was the fourth game the O's have played where they failed to homer. It was their first loss in those games.

* The bullpen had worked 13 straight scoreless innings over the three games before Sunday. But the streak ended with the bullpen allowing a run over 1 2/3 innings. Plus, Dylan Bundy allowed an inherited runner to score.

* After getting just one start of six innings or more over the season's first nine games, the Orioles have gotten five starts of six innings or more from their rotation over the last eight games.

* The Orioles' starting rotation ERA for the season is 5.32 and that is next to last in the American League, ahead of only Boston at 5.48. O's starters have pitched just 86 1/3 innings, the fewest in the league.

* The Orioles play Tampa Bay on the road for three games starting tonight. The O's are 6-2 this year against the AL East, including a 2-0 mark versus the Rays. The Orioles have won all three series they've played against division opponents.

Mancini promoted: When first baseman Trey Mancini began the 2016 season back at Double-A Bowie, the Orioles said he may not be there long. It turns out that was accurate. Mancini has been promoted to Triple-A Norfolk today where he is expected to start at first base every day. Joey Terdoslavich, who was starting at first for the Tides, is going to Bowie in a swap of first sackers.

Mancini was batting .302 with four doubles, seven homers and 14 RBIs in 17 games with Bowie. Against left-handed pitchers, he went 5-for-10 with a double and three homers. He leaves Bowie leading the Eastern League in homers (seven), extra-base hits (11), slugging (.698). runs (18) and total bases (44). He ranks third in RBIs (14). Mancini was the 2015 Orioles minor league Player of the Year.

The 27-year-old Terdoslavich was batting .140 with no homers and one RBI in 17 games with Norfolk.