SAN FRANCISCO — In a keenly watched Major League Baseball encounter on Friday at Oracle Park, South Korean rookie Lee Jung-hoo made a significant impact in his first home game of the season, contributing to the San Francisco Giants' narrow victory over Kim Ha-seong and the San Diego Padres with a score of 3-2.
According to Yonhap News Agency, despite Kim Ha-seong going hitless in four at-bats, he delivered a steadfast performance at shortstop.
Lee initiated the scoring for the Giants by drawing a walk against Padres' starter Dylan Cease and subsequently scored the first run of the game following a two-out double by Michael Conforto. This moment marked Lee’s second run of the season, with his first coming from a solo home run on March 30 against the Padres, indicating a promising start in the MLB as he has safely reached base in seven of his first eight games.
Oracle Park welcomed Lee with the cheers of over 40,000 fans, making it a remarkable home debut for him. Notably, a special moment was shared when Lee’s father, Lee Jong-beom—a retired icon of South Korean baseball—was featured on the scoreboard, a surprise that visibly moved the younger Lee. He expressed his surprise and delight at seeing his father recognized during the game.
Lee also shared his observations on the difference in fan culture between the MLB and the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), noting the unique experience of playing in front of a predominantly home crowd, a stark contrast to the more mixed fan presence typical in KBO games.
Despite not securing a hit in the game and seeing his batting average adjust to .226/.297/.323 for the season, Lee remains optimistic about his performance and aims to quickly find his rhythm. Meanwhile, Kim Ha-seong’s average fell to .216, facing challenges in converting hard-hit balls into hits.
The game's outcome adjusts the season records for both teams, with the Giants moving to 3-5 and the Padres to 4-6. As National League West rivals, the Giants and Padres have several more matchups scheduled for the year, promising more exciting baseball ahead, including six games set for September.