"His batting approach has changed." Lee Jung-hoo records multi-hit game, batting average surges from 0.185 to 0.257 after 5 consecutive hits in a row... Team secures 7-6 victory in extra innings, embarking on a "three-game winning streak" [SF Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Jung-hoo (28, San Francisco Giants) has finally begun to awaken. His batting feel has completely returned, and his batting metrics are rising sharply.

Lee Jung-hoo, playing as the sixth hitter and right fielder, went 2-for-5 with one strikeout and one run scored in the Washington Nationals' 2026 MLB visit game held at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on the 19th (Korea time).

Lee Jeong-hoo, who rarely managed to put the ball in play, has come alive with a five-game hitting streak. On this day as well, Lee Jeong-hoo recorded hits by hitting all balls over the infield, achieving his sixth multi-hit game of the season (two or more hits in a single game). His season batting average rose from 0.246 to 0.257 (74 at-bats, 19 hits), while his on-base percentage and slugging percentage increased from 0.308 and 0.377 to 0.313 and 0.378, respectively. His OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) also reached 0.691.

San Francisco lined up with Will Adams (shortstop), Luis Araez (second baseman), Matt Chapman (third baseman), Rafah El Devers (first baseman), Casey Schmidt (designated hitter), Lee Jung-hoo (outfielder), Elliott Ramos (outfielder), Drew Gilbert (center fielder), and Patrick Bailey (catcher). The starting pitcher was Adrian Hauser.

In the bottom of the first inning, the San Francisco Giants surrendered a solo home run to James Wood and began with one run allowed. In the top of the second, they immediately launched a counterattack. Lee Jung-hoo, batting with one out, opened the scoring. Against opposing starter Cade Povich, he hit a low four-seam fastball clocked at 97 mph (156.1 km/h) on a 1-1 count, resulting in a single that dropped in front of the right fielder.

The subsequent play was somewhat disappointing. Ramos hit a large two-run double to the left field on a one-bouncer off the fence, but Lee Jeong-hoo, who had advanced to second and third base, was tagged out at home. Fortunately, when Gilbert got a hit, Ramos scored, tying the game at 1-1.

However, in the bottom of the second inning, Hausser faltered. After a hit, a fielding error, and a walk, the bases were loaded with no outs. Although a ground ball resulted in a force out at home, a hit-by-pitch was subsequently allowed, giving the opposing team the lead. Later, the team fell behind 1-5 after surrendering a two-run single to Luis Garcia and a one-run single to Jose Tenas.

San Francisco rallied again. They cut the deficit by two runs in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs and a runner on second base, Lee Jeong-hoo stepped up to the plate again, but his hit to the outside sinker with a 3-1 count resulted in a ground ball to the third baseman.

In the sixth inning, Lee Jung-hoo ignited the offensive spark once again. With one out and no runners on base, Lee Jung-hoo stepped up to the plate for the third time in the inning. With a 2-2 count, he used his technical batting skills to lift a slider thrown by left-handed pitcher Mitchell Parker that was drifting outside, sending it over the infield for a two-run single. It was a hit created by Lee Jung-hoo's batting prowess.

Later, Ramos hit a two-run home run over the left-field wall, his second of the season. Lee Jeong-hoo and Ramos both crossed home plate, tying the game at 5-5.

The surging San Francisco succeeded in taking the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning on Adam's hit, an opposing wild pitch, and Devers's RBI hit.

Although victory seemed within reach, San Francisco ultimately allowed an equalizer in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Giants called upon Ryan Walker, but after a double and an intentional walk, with one out and runners on first and third, Chapman boldly chose to throw home on a ground ball to the third baseman by Curtis Mead, successfully tagging out the runner at home plate. However, Brady House's hit ultimately sent the game into extra innings.

In the top of the 10th inning, after Schmidt struck out to end the inning, Lee Jung-hoo appeared but also struck out under a disappointing strike call, and San Francisco failed to score.

In the bottom of the 10th inning, after intentionally walking Ryan Walker to load the bases, San Francisco found itself in a no-out, bases-loaded crisis after giving up a hit to Jacob Young. However, Walker struck out both Dylan Lyle and Nasim Nunez in succession, then induced a ground ball to the shortstop from Yovit Bivas, extending the game into the 11th inning.

San Francisco failed to add any runs even in the bottom of the 11th inning, ending the frame with a triple play, and allowed no baserunners in the top of the 11th except for intentionally walking Caleb Kilian, sending the game into the 12th inning.

In the top of the 12th inning, Chapman hit a single to left field, and runner Araez scored from second base. In the bottom of the 12th, Lee Jung-hoo caught C.J. Abrams' fly ball to left field and Jacob Young's fly ball to right field, also preventing a runner from second base from advancing to third. Caleb Kilian then struck out Riley looking, securing a thrilling 7-6 victory.

The San Francisco Giants, riding a three-game winning streak, improved their record to 9 wins and 12 losses, narrowing the gap with top teams in the National League West.

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*This content was translated by AI.