'Shock trade rumor' crisis for Lee Jung-hoo, answered with a multi-hit performance... Team secures walk-off victory in 12-inning extra innings [SF Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

In a game held after shocking rumors of his potential trade surfaced, Lee Jung-hoo (28, San Francisco Giants), classified as a 'trade target,' swung the bat powerfully and asserted his presence.

On the 11th (Korean time), Lee Jung-hoo started as the leadoff hitter and right fielder in the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, USA, going 2-for-6 with one run scored in six at-bats.

As a result, his season batting average rose from 0.268 to 0.270 (148 at-bats, 40 hits), while his on-base percentage and slugging percentage increased from 0.312 and 0.380 to 0.313 and 0.385, respectively. His OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) reached 0.698.

Before the game, shocking news related to San Francisco was reported. USA Today reported on the day that San Francisco is reportedly planning a major roster overhaul to address its severe recent performance slump and entrenched aging issues, with Lee Jung-hoo's name included among those to be moved. "San Francisco wants to start over for the first time by sending out high-salary players including Lee Jung-hoo, infielder Willy Adames, infielder Rafael Devers, and infielder Matt Chapman. They do not have the luxury to indulge in such extravagance," the report stated.

Ahead of the 2024 season, Lee Jung-hoo signed a massive six-year, $113 million (approximately 165.4 billion won) contract with San Francisco. According to reports, his remaining salary is currently $85 million (approximately 124.4 billion won), which remains a significant financial burden.

With that context, the game began. San Francisco was trailing early when O'Neill Cruz, who reached base on a walk in the top of the 1st inning, scored on Nick Gonzales' hit, sprinting all the way to home plate with his speed.

With the score at 0-1, Lee Jung-hoo, batting first for San Francisco, swung at a 99.3 mph (159.8 km/h) four-seam fastball from starting pitcher Bubba Chandler in a 1-2 count, but the result was a fly ball to right field.

After surrendering another run on a home run by Conor Griffin in the top of the 2nd inning, Lee Jung-hoo stepped up to the plate again in the bottom of the 3rd with two outs and no runners on base. He swung without hesitation at a 91.9 mph (147.9 km/h) changeup on the inside corner in a full-count situation, and the solid hit dropped along the right-field line. Lee Jung-hoo easily reached second base.

Later, on Luis Arraez's precise hit to left field, Lee Jung-hoo rounded third base and headed for home. Despite the short hit, he sprinted at full speed and successfully scored with a clever slide that swept the tag with his hand.

Elliott Ramos' tying solo home run to left field in the 4th inning broke the tie, but San Francisco fell behind 2-3 again after Cruz hit a go-ahead home run (his 10th of the season) in the top of the 5th.

In the 5th, Lee Jung-hoo showed his base-running savvy. With two outs and no runners on base, he attempted a bunt. The ball was hit toward third base; the pitcher moved suddenly but lost his balance, and his throw went wide, allowing Lee Jung-hoo to advance to second base. Arraez drew a walk, but catcher Casey Schmitt was retired on a pop fly by the catcher, ending the inning without scoring.

San Francisco fell behind by another run in the top of the 6th, but after pitcher Isaac Mattson entered in the bottom of the 6th, consecutive doubles by Rafael Devers and Ramos scored one run, followed by Matt Chapman's double, tying the game at 4-4.

In the 7th, Lee Jung-hoo led off but was retired on a ground ball to the shortstop by Mason Montgomery on a 2-2 count, hitting a slider at 89.5 mph (144 km/h).

In the bottom of the 9th with one out and no runners on base, Lee Jung-hoo faced Gregory Soto and engaged in a full-count battle before bowing his head to a looking strikeout on a sweeper low in the zone. San Francisco failed to score in the bottom of the 9th as well, heading to extra innings.

In a tiebreaker situation starting with no outs and a runner on second, San Francisco surrendered a hit-by-pitch to Marcel Ozuna, then gave up a double to Spencer Horwitz, allowing two runs to score.

In the bottom of the 10th, they mounted a comeback. After Devers drew a walk, a ground ball to the shortstop by Ramos created a one-out, bases-loaded situation. Adames' hit to left field tied the game again. Pittsburgh pitcher Yohan Ramirez was shaken by two consecutive hit-by-pitches, but Jesus Rodriguez was retired on a strikeout, ending the inning with Lee Jung-hoo at the plate.

In the top of the 11th, a walk was issued to Henry Davis. Relief pitcher Ryan Bruck entered and struck out Cruz, then turned Brandon Lowe into a double play with a line drive to the shortstop, erasing the scoring threat.

Next, with no outs and a runner on second, Lee Jung-hoo led off again. After a seven-pitch at-bat, he hit a ground ball to the second baseman, advancing the runner Rodriguez to third base. Yohan Ramirez then walked on an automatic intentional walk, and Bryce Eldridge also walked on an automatic intentional walk in a 3-0 count, loading the bases.

However, Christian Colón later hit a ground ball to the third baseman, and the runner was thrown out at home. Ramos also retired on an infield ground ball, and the game continued into the 12th inning.

In the top of the 12th with one out and bases loaded, Griffin was retired on a line drive to the third baseman. In the bottom of the 12th, San Francisco, with one out and a runner on second, loaded the bases with Chapman's hit to right field and others, and secured a thrilling 7-6 victory on Rodriguez's walk-off hit.

San Francisco recorded 16 wins and 24 losses. They moved up to fourth place in the National League West, overtaking the Colorado Rockies.

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*This content was translated by AI.