'Wind's Son' Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants outfielder) hit his first back-to-back home runs in his Major League debut, leading his team to victory.
On the 14th (Korean time), Lee Jung-hoo started as the third center fielder in the away game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.
In the first inning, with two outs and no runners on base, Lee Jung-hoo stepped up to bat against Yankees starter Carlos Rodon, and he was retired with a fly out to center field.
Trailing 0-3 in the fourth inning, with one out and no runners on base, Lee Jung-hoo faced his second at-bat and, after a full count against Carlos Rodon, targeted the sixth pitch slider and sent the ball over the right-field fence.
Having hit his first homer of the season against the Yankees on the 12th, he enjoyed success again just two days later. This marked Lee Jung-hoo's second home run of the season, continuing his hitting streak to four games. Although Rodon did not allow a single hit against the San Francisco lineup, he was struck by Lee Jung-hoo.
Trailing 1-3 in the sixth inning, Lee Jung-hoo had his third at-bat in a situation with one out and runners on first and second, created by Christian Koss's infield hit and Willy Adames's walk. With a ball count of 1B-2S against Carlos Rodon, Lee Jung-hoo pulled the fifth pitch curve and launched a three-run homer, making the score 4-3.
In the eighth inning, leading off, Lee Jung-hoo selected a walk after a battle with Iaan Hamilton that extended to nine pitches. Including today's back-to-back home runs, Lee Jung-hoo recorded 2 hits, 4 RBIs, and 2 runs from 3 at-bats, raising his season batting average to .352.
Meanwhile, San Francisco staged a 5-4 comeback drama against the Yankees, thanks to Lee Jung-hoo's performance.
San Francisco, starting Logan Webb as the pitcher, lined up Elliott Ramos, Willy Adames, Lee Jung-hoo, Wilmer Flores, Matt Chapman, Luis Matos, Casey Schmidt, Patrick Bailey, and Christian Koss in the batting order.
The Yankees constructed their starting lineup with Ben Rice, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Jazz Chisholm, Anthony Volpe, Jason Dominguez, J.C. Escarra, and Oswaldo Cabrera. The starting pitcher was Carlos Rodon, who had a 16-9 record (3.96 ERA) last year.
The Yankees struck first, earning a run with Paul Goldschmidt's timely hit in the first inning with one out and runners on third. In the second inning, with one out, Jason Dominguez and J.C. Escarra hit consecutive doubles to extend the score to 2-0. Continuing with one out and a runner on second, Oswaldo Cabrera grounded out, but in the meantime, J.C. Escarra reached third. Ben Rice hit a single to left, bringing J.C. Escarra home.
Responding, San Francisco’s Lee Jung-hoo hit a solo homer against Carlos Rodon in the fourth inning with one out and no runners on base. Then, in the sixth inning, Lee Jung-hoo's hit turned the tables. In a situation with one out and runners on first and second, Lee Jung-hoo faced Carlos Rodon with a ball count of 1B-2S and pulled the fifth pitch curve for a three-run homer, making it 4-3.
San Francisco, leading by one run in the seventh inning, grabbed a chance with one out and runners on second. They added another run due to the opponent's error. The Yankees pulled within one run when Jazz Chisholm hit a solo homer in the eighth inning, but no dramatic turn occurred.
San Francisco starter Logan Webb pitched 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, 4 walks, and recording 5 strikeouts with 3 earned runs, earning his second win of the season. He was in danger of taking the loss until Lee Jung-hoo's back-to-back home runs changed the outcome.
On the other hand, Yankees starter Carlos Rodon pitched 5⅔ innings, allowing 3 hits (2 home runs), 3 walks, 8 strikeouts, and 4 earned runs, suffering the loss.
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