▲ Lee Jung-hoo
Korean Major Leaguers continued to struggle late in the season.
San Francisco Giants starting outfielder Lee Jung-hoo (28) went 0-for-4 with one walk in an away game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 17th (Korean time).
Having failed to produce a hit, Lee saw his season batting average drop to 0.274 (145 hits in 529 at-bats).
Starting as the cleanup hitter (fourth in the batting order) as designated hitter for the second consecutive day, Lee was retired on a left fielder's flyout in the top of the first inning, a second baseman's flyout in the fourth, a swinging strikeout in the sixth, and a right fielder's flyout in the eighth.
He drew a walk in the top of the 10th inning, but failed to score.
Seemingly suffering from fatigue, Lee plummeted in September with a batting average of 0.148, collecting 8 hits in 54 at-bats across 15 games.
He has zero home runs and only 6 RBIs during this stretch.
San Francisco secured a 6-5 victory thanks to Drew Gilbert's two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning.
Atlanta Braves infielder Kim Ha-seong (30) went hitless in 3 at-bats in an away game against the Chicago Cubs.
Extending his hitless streak to four games, Kim's season batting average plunged to 0.123 (14 hits in 114 at-bats).
Playing as the ninth-hitter and shortstop, Kim struck out swinging against Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga in the top of the second inning, flied out to the first baseman in the fifth, and was out on a catcher's foul popup in the top of the eighth.
In his final plate appearance in the top of the ninth, he was replaced by pinch hitter Mike Yastrzemski.
Atlanta lost the game 4-8.
Song Sung-moon (30), who has established himself as a defensive specialist for the San Diego Padres, got a rare chance to bat but struck out.
Entering the game as a defensive replacement at shortstop in the bottom of the seventh inning during an away game against the Colorado Rockies, Song stepped up to the plate in the top of the ninth but went down swinging.
His season batting average dipped further to 0.187 (23 hits in 123 at-bats).
San Diego won 9-3.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.