"It would be a lie to say I have no ambition": Reyes also reaches 204 hits! Ties Choi Won-jun again, will go all the way [Busan on-site]

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Victor Reyes (32, Lotte Giants) has once again caught up with Choi Won-jun (29, KT Wiz). As the competition for the KBO League single-season record for most hits returned to a tie of 204 to 204, Busan heated up.

In the home game against the LG Twins at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 9th during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season, Reyes recorded one hit and two RBIs in three at-bats, along with a walk, leading Lotte to a decisive 9-1 victory.

Lotte escaped from a four-game losing streak, improving their record to 62 wins, 3 draws, and 76 losses to climb into seventh place. However, the attention of the 21,546 spectators who visited Sajik Baseball Stadium that day was focused not only on the win or loss but also on Reyes' bat.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung (59) of Lotte lent his strength. He moved Reyes, usually placed in the middle of the lineup, up to the leadoff spot as a designated hitter to allow him to enter as many at-bats as possible. Before the game, Reyes had 203 hits for the season, trailing Choi Won-jun by one.

Things did not go exactly as planned. From his first at-bat, he made four foul balls and fought tenaciously, but settled for a groundout to shortstop. In the second inning with one out and the bases loaded, he drove in an RBI with a sacrifice fly to left field, but in the fifth inning, leading off, he touched the first pitch and grounded out to second base.

An unexpected scene unfolded in the seventh inning. With one out and a runner on second base, the LG bench chose an automatic intentional walk. Lotte fans waiting for a hit erupted in loud boos.

The person involved remained calm. After the game, Reyes met with reporters and said, "It was a unique experience and it was fun." He added, "I fully understand that LG is also in a situation where they need to win. It was not something we could control."

His teammates created another opportunity for him. As Lotte produced a five-run big inning in the seventh, Reyes got one more at-bat in the eighth. This time, he did not miss it. With one out and runners on first and third, he hit a slider to Yang Woo-jin's body, connecting for an RBI single down the middle.

Reyes, who had surpassed his previous KBO single-season record of 202 hits two days ago to reach 203, drove in three hits that same day to reach 204, once again standing shoulder to shoulder with Choi Won-jun.

Reyes reflected, "I kept going with the mindset that if I couldn't hit today, I could just hit a lot tomorrow." He continued, "In my last at-bat, the players told me, 'You will get one more at-bat. Don't worry.' That reminded me of when I set the hit record in 2024, so it felt meaningful."

In 2024, he ran toward the record alone. This year is different. A strong competitor has emerged. It is Choi Won-jun, who has been piling up hits with a terrifying momentum, recording 15 hits in six games in October alone.

He did not lose his respect for his rival. Reyes said, "It is an honor in itself to be able to compete with Choi Won-jun. Choi Won-jun is also having a really good season this year." He added, "No matter who wins, I think I will cheer for them." At the same time, he did not hide his ambition, saying, "It would be a lie to say I have no desire. I am focusing as much as possible on the game itself. I think we will see the result later."

Choi Won-jun also, in an interview after setting a new record two days ago, mentioned that Reyes has more remaining games than he does and viewed the competition cautiously. Reyes also said, "Honestly, I don't know who will win yet. No matter who does it, it seems like it will be a very interesting competition." He added, "I have three games left, and Choi Won-jun has two games left. I will do my best until the end with a smile."

It is not a challenge he is facing alone. Manager Kim adjusted the batting order, and his teammates are even more conscious of the record than Reyes is. Reyes said, "The players always come over to me and cheer, saying 'You will get one more at-bat.' Sometimes it feels like the players want it more than I do. It gives me a lot of strength." He continued, "Since Lotte fans are cheering for me a lot, I think it is right for me to show a better performance on the field and repay them."

There is another record that Reyes takes pride in, just like his most hits. Since entering the KBO League in 2024, he has not missed a single game, and this year he is heading toward playing all 144 games for the third consecutive year.

Reyes emphasized, "I think playing all 144 games for three years is my most important role." He added, "If I play a lot, we can win more games. That is why the preparation process during the offseason is the most important."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original