San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo delivered the go-ahead run in consecutive victories over the Los Angeles Dodgers, fueling the Giants’ success in MLB’s inaugural “Korean Derby” series. The 27-year-old South Korean star, nicknamed “The Grandson of the Wind,” has been instrumental in the Giants’ recent success against their rivals, contributing key hits and runs that have shifted the momentum in the early-season matchup.
In the first game of the series on April 22, 2026, Lee Jung-hoo recorded two hits and an RBI as the Giants secured a 3-1 win at Oracle Park. Batting sixth in the lineup as the starting right fielder, he opened the scoring with a single in the bottom of the first inning, driving in Matt Chapman for the Giants’ first run. His performance helped lift his season batting average to .259, marking his sixth multi-hit game in the last ten contests.
The following day, April 23, Lee Jung-hoo again made a significant impact, delivering the decisive run in a 3-0 shutout victory. Facing Dodgers ace Shohei Ohtani as a starting pitcher, he struggled initially, striking out swinging and grounding into a fielder’s choice in his first two at-bats. However, in the seventh inning after Ohtani’s departure, Lee Jung-hoo lined a single to left field off reliever Jack Dreyer, setting up the scoring sequence that proved decisive.
With two outs in the seventh inning, Elliott Ramos followed with a center field single, and Patrick Bailey then launched a three-run home run to left field, allowing Lee Jung-hoo to score from first base. This sequence broke a 0-0 tie and established the Giants’ lead, which they held to secure the shutout. Lee Jung-hoo finished the game with one hit, one run scored, and a season batting average of .262.
Meanwhile, Dodgers infielder Kim Ha-seong struggled at the plate in both games, recording hits but failing to produce extra-base hits or RBIs. In the April 22 game, he managed two hits but was left stranded on base, while in the April 23 contest, he recorded three at-bats without a hit, continuing his hitless streak against the Giants’ pitching.
The back-to-back victories highlighted the Giants’ early-season resilience and the growing impact of their Korean import, whose consistent performance has become a stabilizing force in the lineup. As the series concluded, the Giants looked to build on this momentum in their upcoming home series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, aiming to sustain their strong start to the 2026 MLB season.
For continued updates on the Giants’ season and Lee Jung-hoo’s performance, fans can follow the team’s official channels and stay tuned to trusted sports news sources for the latest developments in the National League West race.
