On-base streak ends for Giants' Lee Jung-hoo; Padres' Kim Ha-seong records hit, steal in win
Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres celebrates a single in the third inning during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Petco Park in San Diego, California, U.S., April 3. AFP-Yonhap
The San Francisco Giants' rookie center fielder Lee Jung-hoo has seen his on-base streak snapped at six games.
From the leadoff spot, Lee went 0-for-4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday (local time), with the Dodgers taking the game 5-4 to complete their three-game sweep.
Lee had reached base safely in each of the previous six games to start the season, but that streak ended after Lee grounded out three times and popped out once in four trips to the plate.
Lee led off the game by swinging on the first-pitch fastball from starter Tyler Glasnow but popped out to shortstop Miguel Rojas.
In the third inning, Lee hit a big chopper back to Glasnow. With Glasnow still on the mound in the sixth, Lee grounded out to second baseman Mookie Betts.
In his final at-bat in the eighth, Lee grounded out to third baseman Max Muncy against reliever Daniel Hudson. It was a well-struck one-hopper that went right at Muncy, who was able to keep the ball in front of him and threw out Lee.
For the season, Lee is batting .250/.303/.357. He went 4-for-14 with a homer and four RBIs in the season-opening, four-game series against the San Diego Padres last week. He batted 3-for-10 against the Dodgers.
San Francisco Giants center fielder Lee Jung-hoo Lee runs out a ground ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, U.S., April 3. Reuters-Yonhap
After a day off Thursday, the Giants will host the Padres for three games at Oracle Park in San Francisco starting Friday.
It will be the second meeting of the young season between Lee and the Padres' Korean shortstop Kim Ha-seong. The two are the only Koreans currently playing in the majors.
Earlier Wednesday, Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres went 1-for-3 with a steal and a walk in a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at home.
Kim had his lone hit of the game with a single to center field off starter Zack Thompson in the third inning.
Kim stole second to get himself into scoring position, though the Padres were not able to cash him in.
Kim is batting .242/.333/.394 with a home run, four RBIs and three steals this year.
Last season, Kim led the Padres with a career-high 38 steals and also set personal-best marks with 17 home runs, 60 RBIs and 75 walks. (Yonhap)