'Son of the Wind' Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) showcased the standard of a perfect leadoff hitter, significantly contributing to the team's thrilling comeback victory.

Lee Jung-hoo made a strong showing in the second game of the away series against the Colorado Rockies in the 2025 Major League on May 12 (Korea time) at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, starting as the leadoff center fielder and going 1-for-3 with 2 walks and 3 runs scored.

He succeeded in getting on base right from his first at-bat. He led off in the top of the 1st inning, drawing a walk after facing 5 pitches against Colorado's left-handed starter Kyle Freeland. He then scored the team's first run by touching home plate when Willy Adames hit a two-run homer.

With the team leading 2-0, Lee stepped up as the leadoff batter again in the top of the 3rd, hitting a triple. After gaining an advantageous count of 2 balls and no strikes against Freeland, he pulled a 92.1 mph (148 km/h) four-seam fastball that went past the first baseman. Using his speed, he reached third base after passing second, successfully achieving his second consecutive triple (4th of the season). Lee scored again on Adames' sacrifice fly.

Even in the top of the 5th inning, trailing 3-4, Lee appeared as the leadoff hitter. He hit a cutter from Freeland at 88.4 mph (142 km/h) with a count of 1 ball and 1 strike but failed to make solid contact and flew out to left field.

His fourth at-bat was unfortunate. It was the top of the 7th inning with 1 out and a runner on first while trailing 3-6. After watching the first pitch ball from right-handed Juan Mejia, he connected on a second pitch four-seam fastball at 95.2 mph (153 km/h), but the ball was deflected by Mejia's glove due to his instinctive reflexes. The runner on first, Daniel Johnson, was also forced out due to a late return to the base, ending the inning.

In the top of the 9th inning, with the team leading 7-6, Lee appeared as the leadoff hitter and earned a walk after a full count against right-hander Jack Agnos, achieving his 3rd time on base. Lee's time on base also led to a score. After moving to third on Adames' double, Lee scored the insurance run when Flores hit a sacrifice fly.

With one additional hit, Lee's batting average rose slightly from .274 to .275.

The second-place San Francisco in the National League West has achieved a 10-7 comeback win against last-place Colorado, extending their winning streak to 7 games. The season record stands at 40 wins and 28 losses.

The turning point came in the top of the 8th inning when they were trailing 3-6. Leadoff hitters Adames and Heliot Ramos hit consecutive singles, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Wilmer Flores struck out swinging, but Dominic Smith filled the bases with a single to left field, and Casey Schmidt earned a walk to push in a run before Mike Yastrzemski hit a two-RBI double to tie the game. Tyler Fitzgerald then helped the team take the lead with a surprising squeeze bunt, allowing the runner on third, Schmidt, to score.

Despite starting pitcher Robby Ray struggling through 4 innings with 6 hits allowed, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, and 4 runs (2 earned), the offensive support prevented him from taking the loss. The winning pitcher was Triston Beck. In the lineup, Lee had 3 times on base including a triple, Adames went 4-for-3 with one home run, 3 RBIs, and 3 runs, Ramos went 4-for-2 with 2 runs, Schmidt went 4-for-2 with 2 RBIs and 1 run, and Yastrzemski went 5-for-2 with 3 RBIs, leading the comeback win.

On the other hand, Colorado, now stuck in a 5-game losing streak, fell to a record of 12 wins and 55 losses. Starting pitcher Freeland had a quality start, throwing 6 innings with 6 hits allowed (1 home run), 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, and 3 runs, but he lost his victory due to bullpen struggles.

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