'First Four-Hit Game in the Big Leagues' Lee Jung-hoo "Focusing on Contact and Hitting to the Opposite Field"

Lee Jung-hoo, who recorded his first four-hit game in his MLB debut [Imagn Images=Yonhap News]

Lee Jung-hoo (26, San Francisco Giants), who achieved his first four-hit game in a single contest since moving to the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB), cited "focusing on contact" as the reason for his recent resurgence.

On the 4th (Korean time), Lee Jung-hoo started as the seventh batter and center fielder in an away game against the New York Mets at Citi Field, going 4-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored, and one stolen base, delivering a stellar performance.

With this game, Lee Jung-hoo's season batting average rose from 0.251 to 0.258.

His batting average in the three games played this month is 0.583 (7 hits in 12 at-bats), regaining his form from the early part of the season.

In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, a local San Francisco newspaper, after the game, Lee Jung-hoo stated, "I'm returning to my style as a contact hitter and focusing on hitting to the opposite field."

San Francisco manager Bob Melvin also commented, "He's trying to find what works best for him right now. In the early part of the season, he was trying for extra-base hits, but lately, he's been trying to hit simply. That could be a wise choice."

Considering Lee Jung-hoo's regained contact ability, the San Francisco bench is actively calling for 'hit-and-run' plays.

Lee Jung-hoo (center) celebrating with teammates after the game [Getty Images/AFP=Yonhap News]

Lee Jung-hoo expressed his satisfaction, saying, "Every time the hit-and-run sign is given, I actually get a hit."

San Francisco, having fallen into a losing streak in the second half of the season, traded away a series of key relief pitchers before the trade deadline last month.

This signaled an intention to give up on the current season and focus on the next.

San Francisco had once aimed for the postseason by trading for Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox this season.

However, due to Devers' slumping offense and the collapse of the pitching staff, they were effectively pushed out of even the wild card race.

San Francisco currently stands at 56 wins and 56 losses, placing them third in the National League and fifth in the wild card standings.

They are six games behind the San Diego Padres, who are in third place and represent the benchmark for wild card contention.

The San Francisco Chronicle concluded, "If Lee Jung-hoo and Devers had regained their hitting form two to three weeks ago, San Francisco probably wouldn't have traded players away," adding, "The resurgence of both players is a good sign." Yonhap News