'Home run → Absurd error → Multi-hit → Stolen base redemption': Lee Jung-hoo's batting average rises to 0.331... 'Also sent support for the WC national team' [SF Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Jung-hoo (28, San Francisco Giants), who is competing in the 'Batting Crown Race', has now boosted his batting statistics with his home run power.

On the 24th (Korea time), Lee Jung-hoo started at fifth spot and right fielder in the 2026 MLB home game against the Athletics at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, USA, going 2-for-3 with one walk, one RBI, and one run scored, leading his team to a 3-1 victory.

Lee Jung-hoo's batting average rose from 0.327 to 0.331 after hitting a home run in his first at-bat. His on-base percentage and slugging percentage increased from 0.359 and 0.456 to 0.365 and 0.470, respectively. His OPS (on-base plus slugging) reached 0.835.

Lee Jung-hoo has been hitting at a 0.405 average over his last 30 games, ranking second in batting average across all of MLB. With two hits in five at-bats today, he raised his average from 0.336 to 0.337, narrowing the gap with the first-place player in this category, Otto Lopez of Miami, to just six points.

In the bottom of the second inning with one out, Lee Jung-hoo faced opposing starter Aaron Civale. After a 1-0 count, he connected on the second pitch, a cutter clocked at 88.3 mph (142.1 km/h) that was located in the middle of the plate. The ball, launched at a blistering 99.9 mph (160.7 km/h), cleared the center-right field wall for a lead-off solo home run. The distance was a massive 126 meters.

After hitting the home run, Lee Jung-hoo clapped five times toward the broadcast cameras in the dugout and shouted "Republic of Korea," sending a message of support to the South Korean national soccer team, which will play its final Group Stage match of the 2026 North American World Cup against South Africa on the 25th.

After hitting two home runs in April, Lee Jung-hoo managed only one arc in May despite his upward trend. With a slugging percentage in the .500s this month alongside his fierce surge, Lee hit his fifth home run of the season in just five games, following his game against the Atlanta Braves on the 17th.

After Lee Jung-hoo's home run, Will Adams' double and Matt Chapman's RBI single extended the lead to 2-0. However, a critical error by Lee Jung-hoo occurred in the top of the third inning. Lee fielded a routine ball hit to right field by Colby Thomas but dropped the ball, resulting in an error. The runner advanced to second base. Later, when Max Muncy singled to left field, the Giants allowed one run.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Lee recorded a multi-hit. With one out, Lee faced a 2-2 count and lightly hit a curveball that was low and outside, sending a sharp infield hit on a precise trajectory. This marked his 27th multi-hit game of the season. After Adams singled, Lee advanced to second base, and then to third on a hit-by-pitch from Drew Gilbert, but Daniel Suarez struck out, so Lee did not score.

Leading off the bottom of the sixth inning, Lee Jung-hoo faced Matt Crook. Despite an unfavorable 1-2 count, Lee calmly took a walk to reach base. He then successfully stole a base but collided with the opposing shortstop during the tag attempt, causing him to remain on the ground in pain for a while. Although he complained of pain in his chin area, fortunately, it was not a serious injury, and he continued playing without being substituted. However, the subsequent batters failed to drive him in, and he did not score.

As San Francisco maintained a shaky one-run lead, they finally caught a breath in the bottom of the seventh inning thanks to a walk by Bryce Eldridge, a single by Casey Schmitt, and an RBI single by Rafah Devers. Lee Jung-hoo left a sense of regret with a ground ball to first base.

The team held onto its 3-1 lead, improving their record to 32 wins and 46 losses.

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*This content was translated by AI.