▲ Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants
Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants has tied the record for the longest hitting streak by a Korean Major League Baseball (MLB) player, joining Choo Shin-soo (currently an advisor to the SSG Landers) and Kim Ha-seong (Atlanta Braves).
Lee went 4-for-5, recording his 21st multi-hit game of the season and raising his batting average to .333 (75 hits in 225 at-bats), moving him into second place in the league in batting average.
Playing as the fifth hitter and right fielder in a home game against the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, on June 9, Lee extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a single to right field in the fourth inning.
With this performance, Lee matched the record for the longest hitting streak by a Korean hitter in MLB history, previously set by Choo Shin-soo (July 3–23, 2013) and Kim Ha-seong (July 25–August 12, 2023).
Lee has been recording at least one hit in every game since the match against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 15.
After flying out to left field in his first at-bat in the first inning, Lee connected on a first-pitch slider from Washington pitcher Miles Mikolas in the fourth inning, driving the ball into right field for a single.
Trailing 0-1 in the sixth inning, Lee faced left-handed reliever Mitchell Parker with two outs and hit a fastball toward the inside of the plate for his second single of the game, sending the ball into center field.
His technique of keeping his left elbow tucked close to his body before pushing the ball was particularly impressive.
Lee advanced to third base on a subsequent hit and scored on a left-center RBI single by Matt Chapman, tying the game at 1-1.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, with the game still tied at 1-1, Lee led off and sprinted to first base after hitting a weak grounder in front of the catcher.
The initial call was an out, but it was overturned to safe following a video review.
Lee then advanced to second base on a pick-off error by the pitcher and scored on a double by Bryce Eldridge.
The San Francisco Giants added another run in the eighth inning to lead 3-1, but ultimately suffered a 3-4 comeback loss after allowing three runs in the ninth.
With the team facing defeat in the ninth inning with two outs and a runner on first, Lee hit another single to right field, creating a scoring opportunity with runners on first and third and drawing chants of "Jung-hoo Lee" from the fans. However, the rally ended when Eldridge struck out.
This marks Lee's fifth four-hit game of the season.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.