'Obsession' Lee Jung-hoo delivers a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 9th! He also set a new MLB record for automatic intentional walks (IBB)... SF survives an 11-inning bloodbath with a walk-off hit by WBC representative Shai Whitcomb!

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Jung-hoo (28, San Francisco Giants) recorded another hit on today's game (the 8th), following up on his hit from the previous day (the 7th). In particular, he showed determination by finally hitting a hit in the bottom of the 9th after going hitless in three at-bats. In the bottom of the 10th inning, he reached base via an automatic intentional four-ball pitch (IBB, Intentional Base on Balls), marking the first time since joining the major leagues that Lee Jung-hoo has achieved this record.

On the 8th (Korean time) at 9:10 a.m., Lee Jung-hoo started as the fifth hitter and right fielder in the home game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, USA, for the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season, recording one hit in four at-bats.

After today's game, Lee Jung-hoo's season statistics stand at 132 games played with a batting average of .280 (500 at-bats, 140 hits), 9 home runs, 28 doubles, 4 triples, 53 RBIs, 62 runs scored, 27 walks, 54 strikeouts, 12 stolen bases (1 failed attempt), an on-base percentage of .323, a slugging percentage of .406, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .729.

Lee Jung-hoo has recently shown some instability in his batting performance. On the previous day, Lee Jung-hoo started as the fifth hitter and right fielder in an away game against the New York Mets, recording one hit and two RBIs in four at-bats. That hit ended a severe slump where he had gone 1-for-21 from the April 1st game against the Atlanta Braves through the April 5th game against the New York Mets. And today, he recorded another hit, continuing his good batting form.

For today's game, San Francisco set its starting lineup as Turner Hill (left fielder)-Rafael Devers (designated hitter)-Bryce Eldridge (first baseman)-Jonah Cox (center fielder)-Lee Jung-hoo (right fielder)-Osleivis Basabe (second baseman)-Andrew Kizner (catcher)-Shai Whitcomb (third baseman)-Christian Yelich (shortstop). The starting pitcher was right-handed Logan Webb.

In response, St. Louis set its starting lineup as Brian Torres (second baseman)-Ivan Herrera (catcher)-Alex Bregman (first baseman)-Jordan Walker (right fielder)-Leonardo Bernal (designated hitter)-Nolan Gorman (third baseman)-Joshua Baez (left fielder)-Thomas Sujecki (shortstop)-Nathan Catch (center fielder). The starting pitcher was right-handed Michael McGreevy.

Lee Jung-hoo entered his first at-bat in the bottom of the 1st inning with two outs and a runner on second base. Lee Jung-hoo hit the second pitch after getting a favorable 1-0 count, but was retired on an infield grounder to second base.

Lee Jung-hoo stepped up for his second at-bat in the bottom of the 3rd inning with two outs and runners on first and second base. This time, he targeted the second pitch after getting a 0-1 count, but was retired on a fly ball to center field, swallowing his disappointment.

Lee Jung-hoo's third at-bat came in the bottom of the 6th inning. As the leadoff hitter, Lee Jung-hoo hit the third pitch after a 1-1 count, but hung his head after being retired on a line drive to left field.

After three consecutive scoreless at-bats today, Lee Jung-hoo finally produced a hit in the bottom of the 9th inning. As the leadoff hitter facing his fourth at-bat, Lee Jung-hoo targeted the third pitch after a 1-1 count. The ball bounced once significantly before connecting for a left-field single that went over the third baseman's head.

Afterwards, Lee Jung-hoo reached second base when Whitcomb singled with two outs. Continuing to the next at-bat, Cox drew a walk, allowing Lee Jung-hoo to reach third base. San Francisco had bases loaded. However, Hill was retired on a fly ball to right field, and the game ultimately headed into extra innings.

In the top of the 10th inning, San Francisco gave up one run. With one out and a runner on third, they surrendered a two-run single to Bernal down the left-center gap.

However, San Francisco eventually tied the game in the bottom of the 10th inning. The opposing pitcher was Korean-American MLB pitcher O'Brien. After Devers reached base via an automatic intentional four-ball pitch, Eldridge hit a two-run single down the left-center gap with no outs and runners on first and second. The score was 4-4, tied.

Cox then successfully executed a sacrifice bunt. There were now one out with runners on second and third. The next batter was Lee Jung-hoo. As soon as the first pitch was a ball, the St. Louis bench signaled for an automatic intentional four-ball pitch, filling first base. This was the moment Lee Jung-hoo, who debuted in MLB during the 2024 season, received his first automatic intentional walk in three seasons. However, Gilbert was retired on a groundout to the catcher for a double play, ending the inning with the score tied at 4-4.

Ultimately, San Francisco secured a thrilling 5-4 victory when Whitcomb, who played as a member of the Korean World Baseball Classic (WBC) representative team, hit a walk-off ground ball single to the shortstop in the bottom of the 11th inning with one out and a runner on third base.

With this win, San Francisco improved to 60 wins and 85 losses. They currently hold sole 4th place in the National League West Division. St. Louis recorded 72 wins and 73 losses. St. Louis maintained 3rd place in the National League Central Division.

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*This content was translated by AI.