What a shame! Lee Jung-hoo, who missed out on a multi-hit game despite an 'expected batting average of 0.530,' settled for two RBIs from a sacrifice fly and was praised for his stellar defense.

*This content was translated by AI.

A well-hit ball was blocked by the opponent's excellent defense, causing Lee Jung-hoo (28, San Francisco Giants) to narrowly miss a multi-hit game. He fought hard with the team's only sacrifice fly and top-tier defense, but his efforts were overshadowed by a comeback loss for his team.

On the 7th (Korean time), Lee Jung-hoo started as the fifth hitter and right fielder in an away game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in Flushing, New York, during the '2026 Major League Baseball (MLB)' season. He recorded one hit and two RBIs in four at-bats. Having snapped a slump of one hit in 16 at-bats over his last five games, he maintained his season batting average at 0.280.

Lee Jung-hoo's instinct as a game-changer shone in the fourth inning. With the score tied 0-0 and two outs with runners on first and second bases in the bottom of the fourth, Lee stepped up to the plate against Mets starter Christian Scott. He targeted Scott's first pitch—a 94.5 mph (approximately 152 km/h) four-seam fastball inside—and made solid contact. The ball dropped perfectly between the second baseman and right fielder for a Texas single, allowing both runners to score and giving his team a 2-0 lead.

The highlight came in his third at-bat of the sixth inning. Facing reliever Yonatan Pintolo, Lee hit a sharp line drive that seemed destined to split the gap between center field and right field. Based on the ball's speed and trajectory, its 'expected batting average (xBA)' reached an impressive 0.530—a near-perfect hit. However, Mets right fielder Carson Benji made a diving catch, snatching away Lee's chance at a multi-hit game just in front of his eyes.

Lee repaid the stolen hit with a masterful defensive play in the bottom of the eighth inning. When Mets infield star Francisco Lindor hit a ball toward him, Lee executed a vent-leg sliding dive and made a spectacular catch to turn it into an out, saving the pitcher. It was a moment where he fully demonstrated his focus on both offense and defense.

Despite Lee's outstanding performance, San Francisco could not secure a win. In the bottom of the eighth inning, relief pitcher Carson Simoer gave up a solo home run to Brett Vitty, followed by a painful three-run comeback home run to Bo Viset. The Giants failed to rally in the top of the ninth and fell 2-4. San Francisco concluded its three-game series against the Mets with one win and two losses, marking their 85th loss (59 wins) of the season.

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*This content was translated by AI.