'How could this be' Lee Jung-hoo has stolen base and still explodes with multi-hit, including a double against 'LAD side image' Skubal! Home run power felt alive the day before (19th)

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Jung-hoo (28, San Francisco Giants) recorded a multi-hit performance, including a double, against Tarik Skubal of the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the top left-handed pitchers in the major leagues. However, he could not secure a win for his team.

On the 20th (Korean time), Lee Jung-hoo started at fourth hitter and right fielder in an away game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA, recording two hits in four at-bats with one RBI.

Lee Jung-hoo, who hit his 10th home run of the season the day before (19th), succeeded in bouncing back with consecutive hits over two days. It has been ten days since Lee Jung-hoo recorded a multi-hit game, last occurring on the 10th against the St. Louis Cardinals.

After this game, Lee Jung-hoo's season statistics stand at 142 games played, batting average .276 (537 at-bats, 148 hits), 10 home runs, 57 RBIs, 65 runs scored, 31 doubles, 4 triples, 28 walks, 57 strikeouts, 12 stolen bases (1 failed attempt), on-base percentage .318, slugging percentage .404, and OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .722.

San Francisco's starting lineup was composed in the following order: Jon Cox (center fielder), Turner Hill (left fielder), Victor Berriquito (designated hitter), Lee Jung-hoo (right fielder), Brett Harris (first baseman), Shay Whitcomb (third baseman), Andrew Kizner (catcher), Osleivis Basabe (second baseman), and Christian Coes (shortstop). The starting pitcher was Junior Marte.

In response, the Dodgers set their starting lineup as follows: Mookie Betts (shortstop), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Will Smith (catcher), Max Muncy (third baseman), Teoscar Hernandez (left fielder), Kyle Tucker (right fielder), Jose De Paula (designated hitter), Tommy Edman (center fielder), and Alex Freeland (second baseman). The starting pitcher was Tarik Skubal.

On this day, Lee Jung-hoo produced a hit-quality ball from his first at-bat but was stopped by the Dodgers' defense. In the top of the 1st inning with two outs and a runner on first base, Lee Jung-hoo hit Skubal's first-pitch sinker deep into right-center field. At that moment, Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker sprinted at full speed and made a diving catch to record an out. It was the moment Lee Jung-hoo's hit was stolen.

However, Lee Jung-hoo's bat grew hot again. With San Francisco tying the game 2-2 on Victor Berriquito's two-run home run to center field, in the top of the 3rd inning with one out and no runners on base, Lee Jung-hoo hit Skubal's 97.4 mph (approximately 156.8 km) high fastball inside the zone while facing an unfavorable 0-2 count. The slightly mistimed ball landed beyond the second baseman in the outfield for a line drive single to center field. However, no subsequent hits were recorded, so no runs scored.

Lee Jung-hoo's true value shone again in the 5th inning. With San Francisco trailing 3-4 and no outs with a runner on second base in the top of the 5th, Lee Jung-hoo stepped up to bat for the third time. Skubal was still on the mound. Lee Jung-hoo crushed Skubal's 96 mph (approximately 154.5 km) high fastball right down the middle, launching a two-run double that split right-center field completely. While the hit direction was similar to the first inning, the trajectory was lower, giving opposing outfielders no timing to catch it.

During this play, the runner on second base scored, tying the game at 4-4. Lee Jung-hoo comfortably reached second base. This was his 31st double of the season. With this, Lee Jung-hoo matched the total number of doubles he recorded last season. Later, when a subsequent batter hit a fly ball, Lee Jung-hoo advanced to third base but did not score. In his final at-bat in the top of the 7th inning, Lee Jung-hoo was retired on a fly ball to left field, concluding his day at bat.

Meanwhile, despite Lee Jung-hoo's valiant efforts, San Francisco collapsed on the mound and lost 4-10. They surrendered runs in every inning from the 1st through the 6th and compounded their self-destruction with two defensive errors. The two-game losing streak left San Francisco at 64 wins and 91 losses, maintaining fourth place in the National League West Division. In contrast, the Dodgers, who had already clinched the West Division title, surged to three consecutive victories, reaching 95 wins (60 losses) for the season.

Meanwhile, the fortunes of other Korean players diverged. Song Seong-moon of the San Diego Padres appeared as a defensive replacement shortstop in the bottom of the 8th inning against the Miami Marlins, going hitless in one at-bat. Song finished the season with a batting average of .185. In the bottom of the 10th inning of extra innings with the score tied 6-6 and no outs with a runner on second base, Song failed a bunt attempt and was retired via strikeout. Nevertheless, San Diego secured a 7-6 victory thanks to a walk-off hit by subsequent batter Isan Salas, extending their winning streak to four games. Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves rested without being included in the starting lineup for the game against the Houston Astros. Atlanta won 6-3.

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*This content was translated by AI.