Lee Jung-hoo Extends Hitting Streak to 18 Games; San Francisco Secures Walk-off Win

Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants has extended his hitting streak to 18 games.

Lee started as the fifth hitter and right fielder in a home game against the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, on June 11, recording two hits, one walk, two runs, and one stolen base in four at-bats.

Having surpassed Choo Shin-soo (current advisor to the SSG Landers general manager) and Kim Ha-seong (Atlanta Braves) the previous day to set a new record for the longest hitting streak by a Korean big leaguer, Lee extended his own record by another game.

With his 23rd multi-hit game of the season—and his third consecutive game with at least two hits—Lee raised his season batting average from .335 to .338 (79 hits in 234 at-bats).

Lee maintained his position as the second-leading hitter in Major League Baseball, though his ranking remains subject to change based on the results of his competitors later today.

Lee, who has been on a hitting streak since the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 15, struck out in his first at-bat in the bottom of the second inning.

Leading off the inning, he faced left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin and struck out swinging.

After a fierce battle in the count, including fouling off four consecutive pitches after a 1-1 count, he swung and missed at a low, inside sinking fastball on a 2-2 count.

In his second at-bat in the bottom of the fourth with the team trailing 0-2, he grounded out.

He hit a low, outside sweeper from Griffin for a groundout to second base.

The San Francisco lineup was stifled by Griffin's strong pitching, trailing 0-6 until the top of the sixth inning, before finally narrowing the gap to 1-6 with a solo home run by Matt Chapman in the bottom of the sixth.

Lee produced a hit with two outs and no runners on base in the bottom of the sixth.

He lifted a low curveball on the first pitch for a single to right field and reached first base.

Although it was a "show-me" pitch outside the strike zone, Lee used exceptional bat control to turn it into a hit.

Lee later advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Griffin, but failed to score as the next batter, Bryce Eldridge, struck out.

Lee drew a walk in the bottom of the eighth inning with the team trailing 3-9.

Washington's right-handed reliever Paxton Schultz began to struggle with his control following back-to-back home runs by Chapman and Rafael Devers, and Lee earned a walk after a full-count battle.

Lee subsequently stole second base and crossed home plate on an RBI single to left field by Daniel Susac.

In the final attack in the bottom of the ninth, with the team trailing 7-10 and runners on first and second with no outs, Lee recorded his second hit of the game.

Washington pulled the struggling reliever Gus Varland and brought in left-handed reliever Mitchell Parker to face Lee.

On a 1-2 count, Lee pushed the fifth pitch, an outside fastball, for a single to left field.

Lee's hit served as the foundation for a dramatic comeback victory.

The next batter, Eldridge, hit a walk-off grand slam to right field, ending the game with an 11-10 victory.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.