Yesterday was a home run. Today, he took on one of the league's top aces. Lee Jung-hoo's bat is heating up again as the season draws to a close. On the 20th, Lee Jung-hoo started against the LA Dodgers and notched 2 hits and 1 RBI in 4 at-bats.
A multi-hit game.
He also added a double.
What stood out was the opposing pitcher. The pitcher Lee Jung-hoo faced, who is competing for the Cy Young Award, is elite left-hander Tarik Skubal. Just the day before, Lee Jung-hoo had hit his 10th home run of the season, marking the first time he had reached double digits in homers since joining the major leagues. And then, he hit multiple times the next day. While he was personally hot, the team did not fare as well.
The San Francisco Giants lost to the Dodgers 10-4.
Yesterday’s ‘10th home run’... His first double digits in the MLB.
This series against the Dodgers holds significance for Lee Jung-hoo. The previous game saw him hitting his 10th home run of the season. It was his first time reaching double digits in home runs since his major league debut. It meant more than just a simple home run. Lee Jung-hoo has been known in the major leagues for his precise contact and wide defensive range, among other strengths. Now, having hit double-digit home runs in one season, he has more options to show on offense. Moreover, the opponent was the formidable Dodgers from the same National League West division.
And the next day, he faced the Dodgers again. This time, instead of a home run, it was a multi-hit game.
The opponent was Skubal… And he hit him twice.
Today's starting pitcher for the Dodgers was Tarik Skubal, one of the best left-handed aces in the major leagues. He is known for his strong pitch and stable control. He's consistently in the Cy Young Award conversation. It wasn’t an easy matchup for Lee Jung-hoo, a left-handed hitter. Yet, Lee Jung-hoo managed to make an impact against Skubal.
It didn’t end with just one hit. He reached base twice, achieving a multi-hit game and even managing an extra-base hit. It wasn’t just a case of boosting his late-season stats against a weaker pitcher; it was meaningful because he showed his batting skills against a top-tier pitcher.
Season batting average at .276… Accumulated up to his 148th hit.
With today’s multi-hit game, Lee Jung-hoo’s season stats have improved. His batting average for the season is .276. He has amassed 148 hits in 536 at-bats. Yesterday, it was his 10th home run. Today, it was a multi-hit game. His batting form is reviving in the latter part of the season. It’s especially gratifying that both extra-base hits and singles are coming.
Expectations for Lee Jung-hoo are not just about batting average. If he can disrupt the opponent with fast base running after getting on base and produce extra-base hits when needed, his value in the offense grows significantly. Lately, during the games against the Dodgers, these strengths have been consistently displayed.
Continues to bat fourth… The team's perspective on Lee Jung-hoo has changed.
What's noticeable is the batting order. Recently, Lee Jung-hoo has been placed in the heart of the lineup. This role is somewhat different from what he was accustomed to in Korea. Initially, when he joined the major leagues, there were high expectations for him to fulfill a table-setter role. This involved leveraging his precise hitting, on-base ability, and speed. However, recently he has also been tasked with the role of a cleanup hitter.
With an increase in home runs and extra-base hit production, this shift has become possible. Yesterday, it was a home run. Today, it was a multi-hit game with an RBI. He has justified his placement in the heart of the lineup with results.
But it was all for naught… SF’s mound collapsed.
The problem was with the team. Lee Jung-hoo hit twice and even notched an RBI, but the San Francisco mound couldn’t hold up. The Dodgers lineup kept scoring throughout the game. Ultimately, San Francisco was heavily defeated 10-4. It was a good game for Lee Jung-hoo personally. Not so much for the team.
This disparity has also been a recent concern for San Francisco. It’s tough to overcome strong teams like the Dodgers with just one or two players performing. Both the lineup’s cohesion and the pitching need to hold up. Today, Lee Jung-hoo managed a multi-hit game against a top-tier pitcher but still had to witness his team's defeat.
From yesterday’s home run to today’s multi-hit… Rising again in the late season.
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