'De facto MVP in debut game' SD's Song Sung-moon proves shortstop potential — goes hitless at the plate... SF's Lee Jung-hoo also hitless in 4 at-bats

*This content was translated by AI.

Song Sung-moon (30, San Diego Padres), who made a strong impact in what was effectively his debut game, fell silent this time.

On the 7th (Korean time), Song started at shortstop, batting ninth, in an away game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, U.S., going hitless in 2 at-bats with 1 strikeout.

The day before, in his first start against the San Francisco Giants, Song also made his debut at the plate, hitting a 2-RBI double in his first at-bat, recording a multi-hit game, and stealing a base. He performed brilliantly with 4 at-bats, 2 hits, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored, even giving an interview to broadcasters as the hero of the game, but today was different.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, he struck out swinging at a 95.5 mph (153.7 km/h) four-seam fastball from San Francisco starter Adrian Houser. In the 5th, with one out and a runner on first, he attempted a surprise bunt toward the open third-base side, but the ball went foul beyond the foul line, leaving him disappointed. He then swung at a 93.8 mph (150.9 km/h) sinker that went toward the hanbok area, but it resulted in a left-field fly, leaving him with another missed opportunity.

San Diego took the lead in the 4th on a solo home run by Gavin Sheets. San Francisco tied the game in the bottom of the 5th on a solo home run by Rafah El Devers.

In the top of the 7th, San Diego's Fernando Tatis Jr. reached base on an error by San Francisco third baseman Matt Chapman, and Ramon Lloriano drew a walk, creating a scoring opportunity. With two outs and runners on first and third, the pitcher was switched to left-hander Keaton Winn, and Song was replaced by right-handed hitter Ty France.

As a result, Song's season batting average dropped from 0.500 to 0.333 (6 at-bats, 2 hits), while his on-base percentage and slugging percentage fell from 0.500 and 0.750 to 0.333 and 0.500, respectively. His OPS (on-base plus slugging) is 0.833.

On defense, playing at the unfamiliar shortstop position, he cleanly fielded a difficult ground ball hit by Jesus Rodriguez in the bottom of the 5th and made a clean throw.

San Francisco's Lee Jung-hoo (28) also failed to smile. He was retired on a center-field fly ball in his first at-bat in the 1st inning, and in the 4th, he grounded out to the first baseman. In the 6th, he attempted to hit a 5th-pitch sinker with a 3-1 count, but it resulted in a center-field fly ball.

Ty France, who appeared as a pinch-hitter for Song in the top of the 7th with two outs and runners on first and third, recorded a 2-RBI triple due to a fielding error by San Francisco right fielder Rodriguez. The score was 3-1.

In the 8th, a walk by Manny Machado, an error by San Francisco, and a two-run home run by Zander Bogaerts sealed the game.

Lee Jung-hoo came to the plate again in the bottom of the 9th but was retired on a ground ball to the third baseman against Mason Miller's 102.7 mph (165.3 km/h) high fastball, finishing the game hitless in 4 at-bats.

His season batting average dropped from 0.271 to 0.263 (133 at-bats, 35 hits), while his on-base percentage and slugging percentage fell from 0.319 and 0.395 to 0.310 and 0.383, respectively. His OPS is now 0.693.

With the win, San Diego improved to 22-14, maintaining a 0.5-game lead over the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers (23-14). San Francisco remained in last place in the division with a record of 14-23.

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*This content was translated by AI.