The ‘471.4 billion won MVP’ Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) suffered a setback while disregarding the shoulder of Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants).
Lee Jung-hoo started as the third center fielder in the second game of the four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on the 16th (Korea time) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and showcased a splendid double play in the bottom of the third inning.
It was the bottom of the third inning when San Francisco was trailing 0-2. San Francisco's starting pitcher Justin Verlander issued a walk to lead-off hitter Trea Turner, and Turner, the runner on first, failed to steal second base. However, he gave another walk to Harper at the plate and got the next batter Kyle Schwarber to pop out to center field.
Schwarber's hit rose high and headed deep into center field. Center fielder Lee Jung-hoo walked slowly to the front of the warning track, checked the landing spot in advance, and calmly made the catch.
That's when it happened. Harper, the runner on first, checked Lee Jung-hoo's catching position and suddenly aimed for second base with a tag-up. Aware of the runner's movement, Lee Jung-hoo threw an accurate one-bounce throw toward second base, which was caught by second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald, who tagged out Harper. This was a moment that highlighted Lee Jung-hoo's strong shoulder. Local commentators in the U.S. praised him, saying, 'Harper was trying for second, but Lee Jung-hoo was already ready.'
Lee Jung-hoo also had a strong performance at the plate, going 2-for-4 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored.
In the top of the sixth inning, tied 2-2 with no outs and no runners, the first hit came through. Upon his entry, he knocked an 83.7 mph (134 km/h) sweeper from Philadelphia starter Jesus Luzardo into the outfield for a double. This was a moment when he got his first hit after going 0-for-5 with 3 strikeouts the previous day, marking his 9th double of the season and reclaiming the lead in the Major League Baseball double category.
Lee Jung-hoo's on-base led to a run. In a 1 out, runners on first and second situation following Matt Chapman's walk, Lee Jung-hoo advanced to third on a wild pitch, and took home to break the 2-2 tie while Wilmer Flores hit a ground ball to shortstop.
Lee Jung-hoo did not stop there. In the top of the eighth inning, trailing 3-6 with no outs and runners on first and third, he struck a crucial single that led to an RBI. Facing left-hander Jose Alvarado, he connected with a high 100 mph (160 km/h) sinker after going to an 8-pitch battle, achieving multi-hit status for the first time in two games since the match against the New York Yankees on the 14th.
Lee Jung-hoo's season batting average rose from .322 to .333. San Francisco lost to Philadelphia 4-6.
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