The 'Son of the Wind,' Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants outfielder), showcased his unstoppable performance in a three-game road series against the New York Yankees, rising to 3rd place in Major League Baseball (MLB) for overall OPS.
Lee Jung-hoo recorded 4 hits (3 home runs), 7 RBIs, and 5 runs scored in 9 at-bats with an OPS of 2.171 during the three-game series held at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, from the 12th (Korea time).
He recorded his first home run of the season in the game on the 12th. With no outs and runners on first and second in the first inning, he hit a three-run blast against Yankees starter Marcus Stroman. After grounding out in the second inning, Lee advanced to third base on walks by Matt Chapman and Lamonte Wade Jr. in the fifth before scoring on an infield grounder by Wilmer Flores. He continued to demonstrate his plate discipline by drawing a walk in his fourth at-bat in the sixth inning. That day, he contributed to the 9-1 victory with 1 hit in 2 at-bats, 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and 2 walks.
Continuing the momentum from his first home run, he added a double in the game on the 13th. In his first at-bat of the game, he drew a walk, and in the third, he made an out with a line drive to the shortstop. In the sixth, he reached first on a fielder's choice and scored on a single by Wilmer Flores following a walk by Matt Chapman. He erupted for a double in his fourth at-bat in the seventh inning. Due to Matt Chapman's strikeout, he was unable to score. In the ninth inning, with no outs and runners on second and third, he struck out swinging, missing an opportunity.
Lee Jung-hoo had the best day of his career on the 14th, hitting back-to-back home runs in his Major League debut. It was truly a nutritious home run. With his team trailing 0-3, Lee faced Yankees starter Carlos Rodon in the fourth inning with one out and no runners. He connected on a slider on the sixth pitch, sending the ball over the right field fence.
With his team trailing 1-3 in the sixth, Lee faced his third at-bat in a scenario with one out and runners on first and second, created by Christian Kos's infield hit and Willy Adames's walk. With a 1B-2S count against Carlos Rodon, he pulled a curveball on the fifth pitch, launching a three-run homer, bringing the score to 4-3.
In the eighth inning, Lee led off and selected a walk after a nine-pitch battle against Ian Hamilton. Including his back-to-back home runs that day, he finished with 2 hits in 3 at-bats, 4 RBIs, and 2 runs scored, raising his season batting average to .352. Thanks to Lee's performance, San Francisco staged a dramatic 5-4 comeback against the Yankees.
Jeff Passan of the American sports media outlet ESPN noted after the game on the 14th through his social media, "Currently, looking at the Major League OPS rankings, 1st is New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (1.228), 2nd is New York Mets' Pete Alonso (1.143), 3rd is San Francisco's Lee Jung-hoo (1.130), and 4th is Chicago Cubs' Kyle Tucker (1.085). After missing most of last season, Lee Jung-hoo is now one of the best players in Major League Baseball, representing San Francisco, which has a record of 11 wins and 4 losses this season."
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