'Big Break' Lee Jung-hoo Looks Set to Become Korea's First Batting Champion! Another 'Multi-Hit Explosion' with Runs and Stolen Bases for a 'Perfect Performance' — Ranks 2nd in MLB Batting Average [SF Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Jung-hoo (28, San Francisco Giants) recorded a multi-hit game. Lee Jung-hoo, who continues to move toward becoming the first Korean to win the batting title in the major leagues, delivered another strong performance.

On the 20th (Korean time), Lee Jung-hoo started at fifth in the batting order and as right fielder in the away game against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, USA, during the 2026 MLB regular season. He went 2-for-4 with one run scored and one stolen base.

After this game, Lee Jung-hoo's season statistics stand at a batting average of 0.328 (256 at-bats, 84 hits), 4 home runs, 16 doubles, 4 triples, 26 RBIs, 37 runs scored, 11 walks, 26 strikeouts, an on-base percentage of 0.359, a slugging percentage of 0.453, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.812.

The opposing team today, Miami, features Otto Lopez, who leads the entire MLB in batting average. Lopez added one hit today, recording a batting average of 0.334. Lee Jung-hoo now sits in second place behind him. The difference in batting average between the two is only six points.

Lee Jung-hoo hit a home run in the game against the Atlanta Braves on the 17th. He then went 0-for-4 in the game against Atlanta on the 18th, remaining hitless. The game against Atlanta on the 19th was postponed due to rain, and Lee Jung-hoo did not play. Today, he hit another hit to fine-tune his batting rhythm.

San Francisco's starting lineup consisted of Luis Arraez (second baseman), Bryce Eldridge (first baseman), Matt Chapman (third baseman), Rafah El Devers (designated hitter), Lee Jung-hoo (right fielder), Willy Adames (shortstop), Case Schmidt (left fielder), Drew Gilberts (center fielder), and Daniel Susak (catcher). The starting pitcher was Landon Luep.

In response, Miami set their starting lineup as Liam Hicks (first baseman), Owen Casey (right fielder), Eriberto Hernandez (designated hitter), Kyle Starwos (left fielder), Lopez (shortstop), Jacob Marsi (center fielder), Connor Norby (third baseman), Joe Mack (catcher), and Javier Sanoja (second baseman). The starting pitcher was Lake Batcher.

In the top of the first inning, Lee Jung-hoo was retired on a foul ball. With two outs and runners on first and second, Lee Jung-hoo stepped into the batter's box. After a 2-2 count, he took a fifth-pitch swing and missed for a strikeout. Initially, the pitch was called a ball, but the opposing catcher, Joe Mack, requested an ABS challenge, and the call was overturned to a strike, resulting in a strikeout out.

However, Lee Jung-hoo hit a hit in his second at-bat. With the score tied 1-1, in the bottom of the third inning during San Francisco's offensive turn, after Devers reached base with a ground ball to left field with two outs, Lee Jung-hoo came to the plate. With a 1-1 count, he connected on the third pitch, driving the ball between the shortstop and second baseman for a double.

That was not the end. With the pitcher changed to Anthony Bender after Lee Jung-hoo's at-bat, Lee Jung-hoo successfully stole second base with ease during Adames' subsequent at-bat. It was a stolen base created with quick feet at perfect timing. This was his fourth stolen base of the season. However, Adames was retired on a ground ball to third base, so no run scored.

Lee Jung-hoo's second hit came in the bottom of the sixth inning when the score was tied 2-2. After Devers hit a go-ahead home run to left field, Lee Jung-hoo stepped into the batter's box. With a favorable 3-1 count, he connected on the fifth pitch, and the ball soared straight toward the right-field wall. The ball dropped cleanly under the wall, and Lee Jung-hoo comfortably reached second base. Later, when Schmidt hit a sacrifice fly to center-left field, Lee Jung-hoo crossed home plate to take the lead.

In today's game, Miami scored first. In the bottom of the first inning with one out and no runners on base, leadoff hitter Casey hit a solo home run over the center-field wall. San Francisco immediately responded. In the top of the second inning, they secured a bases-loaded opportunity with three consecutive hits. Susak then drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to left field.

Miami scored another run in the bottom of the fifth. Leadoff hitter Sanoja hit a double, and when the following hitter Hicks grounded to the shortstop, Sanoja reached third base. Then, when Casey hit a sacrifice double, Sanoja scored, making it 2-1.

San Francisco turned the game around in the bottom of the sixth. Leadoff hitter Devers hit a solo home run to left field, tying the game at 2-2. Then, Lee Jung-hoo hit a double over the right-field wall, and with one out, Schmidt's sacrifice fly to center-left field allowed Lee Jung-hoo to score the go-ahead run.

Miami then scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to retake the lead. Leadoff hitter Luis reached base on a hit-by-pitch, then advanced to second base on Sanoja's infield hit. Hicks then hit a sacrifice fly to left field, and Casey hit a sacrifice fly to left field, each driving in a run to complete the 4-3 comeback. Ultimately, Miami held on to their one-run lead to win the game.

With today's loss, San Francisco ended their winning streak at three games, finishing with 31 wins and 44 losses. They remain in fourth place in the National League West Division. Meanwhile, Miami extended their winning streak to two games, finishing with 38 wins and 38 losses. They are in fourth place in the National League East Division.

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*This content was translated by AI.