▲ Ko Woo-suk of the Minnesota Twins
After struggling with his control the previous day, Ko Woo-suk of the Minnesota Twins took the mound for the second consecutive day for the first time since his big league debut, but he allowed three runs on four extra-base hits, including a home run.
On July 21, in an away game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, Ko entered the game in the bottom of the 7th inning with his team trailing 3-10. He pitched one inning, giving up four hits—including one home run—and three runs.
Ko, who threw 23 pitches in a scoreless inning against the Chicago Cubs the day before, threw 24 pitches in this outing.
While he struck out two batters using a four-seam fastball that reached a top speed of 153 km/h, he allowed one home run and three doubles, causing his season ERA to jump to 9.00.
Ko surrendered a solo home run to the leadoff hitter, Patrick Bailey.
The second pitch, a 151 km/h four-seam fastball, drifted over the middle of the plate, and Bailey drove it over the center-field fence.
Both home runs Ko has allowed in the big leagues have been hit by Bailey.
He also gave up a home run to Bailey during his big league debut against Cleveland on July 10.
Following the home run, Ko allowed consecutive doubles to Petey Halpin and Kyle Manzardo, creating a no-out, runners on second and third situation.
He struck out Travis Bazzana, who recorded three hits on the day, with a 131 km/h low-and-in curveball on the seventh pitch of the at-bat, but the next batter, Chase DeLauter, capitalized on a first-pitch slider for a two-run double.
Ko then finished the inning without further damage by recording a strikeout and a flyout to center field.
Minnesota scored one run in the top of the 8th but ultimately lost 4-13.
Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants extended his hitting streak to two games.
Playing as the starting right fielder and batting sixth against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, Lee went 1-for-4 with one run scored.
His season batting average remains at .303 (105 hits in 347 at-bats).
Lee grounded out to first base in the top of the 2nd and flied out to left field in the top of the 4th.
After grounding out to second base in the top of the 7th, Lee sparked a rally in his final at-bat with two outs in the top of the 9th.
Facing the opponent's fourth pitcher, Alex Lange, Lee hit a single to center field on a 2-1 count, driving a 154 km/h outside sinker.
The next batter, Willy Adames, then hit a dramatic two-run home run to center, allowing Lee to score and tie the game at 3-3.
However, San Francisco lost 3-4 after allowing a walk-off squeeze bunt with one out and runners on first and third in the bottom of the 9th.
Song Seong-mun of the San Diego Padres, who recorded his first three-hit game in the big leagues the previous day, was held hitless.
Starting as the shortstop and batting ninth in an away game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, Song went 0-for-3 with one strikeout.
His season batting average dropped to .231 (21 hits in 91 at-bats).
Song struggled against the opposing starting right-hander, Bryce Elder.
He struck out swinging with one out in the top of the 3rd and hit into a double play to the second baseman with one out and a runner on first in the top of the 5th.
Trailing 2-3 with two outs and runners on first and third in the top of the 7th, Song hit a deep fly ball against the opponent's third pitcher, Victor Mederos, but it was caught for a flyout to center field.
San Diego lost 2-3.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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