Recorded Hits and RBIs in 3 Consecutive Debut Games
Led San Diego to 9-6 Victory in Game 3
'The Man of 113 Million Dollars' Lee Jung-hoo hit his first home run in Major League Baseball (MLB) just three games after his debut. Lee Jung-hoo, who started as the leadoff center fielder in all three opening games for the San Francisco Giants, showed perfect fulfillment of his team's expectations by recording hits and RBIs in three consecutive games.
On the 31st (Korean time), in the third game of the season between the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres held at Petco Park in San Diego, USA, Lee Jung-hoo hit his first home run of the season in the top of the 8th inning during his fourth at-bat. Starting with Lee Jung-hoo's home run, San Francisco scored six runs in the 8th inning alone and defeated San Diego 9-6.
As in the previous two games, Lee Jung-hoo started as the leadoff center fielder. He maintained good hitting form. In the previous three at-bats, he all hit balls that could have been hits but was unlucky.
In the first at-bat in the top of the 1st inning, with a count of 1 ball and 1 strike, Lee Jung-hoo targeted the third pitch from opposing starter Dylan Cease and hit a ball that went past the pitcher toward center field. However, Kim Ha-seong, who was positioned close to second base, caught the ball and easily put Lee Jung-hoo out.
The same situation repeated in the second at-bat in the top of the 3rd inning. Lee Jung-hoo, with a full count, again hit a ball grazing past the pitcher toward second base, but it was caught by Kim Ha-seong's glove once more.
In the third at-bat in the top of the 5th inning, Lee Jung-hoo recorded an RBI sacrifice fly. He came to bat with one out and runners on second and third. At a count of 2 balls and 2 strikes, he targeted the fifth pitch. The ball was hit so well that it was immediately clear it was a long hit. The ball flew deep toward right field, but unfortunately, San Diego right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. caught it just in front of the fence. Runner Tom Murphy on third base comfortably scored home, and Lee Jung-hoo recorded RBIs in three consecutive games since his debut.
Having gained confidence from the deep hit in his third at-bat, Lee Jung-hoo finally cleared the fence in his fourth at-bat.
Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants is watching the ball after hitting his first home run of the season in his fourth at-bat in the top of the 8th inning during the third game of the season between the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, USA, on the 31st (Korean time). Photo by AP Yonhap News
Lee Jung-hoo came to bat in the top of the 8th inning with one out and no runners on base, with his team leading 3-1. At a count of 1 ball and 1 strike, he powerfully pulled the third pitch from San Diego left-handed pitcher Tom Cosgrove over the right field fence. Immediately after hitting, Lee Jung-hoo appeared to sense the home run, raising his left hand high. The camera quickly focused on his father, former LG Twins coach Lee Jong-beom, who was watching the game from the stands. Former coach Lee Jong-beom showed a broad smile and happily high-fived the fans watching the game with him.
Starting with Lee Jung-hoo's first home run of the season, the San Francisco offense exploded in the top of the 8th inning. Following Lee Jung-hoo's home run, Michael Conforto hit a grand slam, and San Francisco scored six runs in the inning, extending their lead to 9-1. After the lineup turned over, Lee Jung-hoo came to bat again with two outs and runners on first and second in the top of the 8th. He targeted the second pitch at a 1-ball count but grounded out to second base.
With two home runs securing the momentum, San Francisco allowed five runs in the bottom of the 9th but comfortably secured the victory.
Lee Jung-hoo finished with 1 hit (1 home run) in 4 at-bats, 2 RBIs, and 1 run scored. His season stats now stand at a .333 batting average (4 hits in 12 at-bats), 1 home run, 4 RBIs, and 1 run scored. He continued his streak of hits and RBIs in three consecutive games since his debut.
San Diego's Kim Ha-seong started as the fifth batter and shortstop but went hitless in 4 at-bats. In the bottom of the 8th inning, he hit a ball that would have been a home run over the left field fence but unfortunately went foul outside the pole. Kim Ha-seong's season stats are a .167 batting average (3 hits in 18 at-bats), 1 RBI, and 1 run scored.
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