San Francisco Giants right fielder Lee Jung-hoo responded to the “minor controversy” related to his play the day before.
Lee Jung-hoo recalled the defense scene in the bottom of the fourth inning of the previous day in a meeting with MK Sports ahead of an away game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the 15th (Korea time).
With runners on the first and third bases with no outs, a shallow fly ball hit by Dodgers batter Alex Cole floated in the right foul area, and Lee Jung-hoo ran and caught it.
In the meantime, Teoscar Hernandez, who was on third base, came home, leading to his team’s fourth run. San Francisco lost 0-4 on the day.
Regarding this scene, some raised the question, “Was it necessary to catch a ball falling in the foul area and lead to a loss?” Some reporters at the scene also asked the reporter, “Do you think Lee Jung-hoo should have caught the ball?”
It was later buried thanks to Willy Adames’ shocking baserunning error in the top of the seventh inning, but it was a questionable choice.
Lee Jung-hoo, who met ahead of the match on the 15th, replied to the scene, “I was a warrior, and I was still at the end of the fourth inning.” He saw it as important to increase the number of outings as it was early in the game and there was no out.
“If it was an extended situation, I wouldn’t have caught it,” he said, stressing that it was a judgment based on the game situation.
The ball was not that deep, so it could be a game at home. However, Lee Jung-hoo couldn’t apologize at all.
There was a reason for this. Lee Jung-hoo explained the situation at the time, saying, “There was a spike gong in the drain in front of the fence.” It was a situation where I couldn’t properly throw it.
Meanwhile, San Francisco announced the lineup of Lee Jung-hoo (right fielder), Luis Arraez (second baseman), Casey Schmidt (designated hitter), Rafael Devers (first baseman), Eliot Ramos (left fielder), Willie Adames (third baseman), Matt Chapman (third baseman), Drew Gilbert (midfielder) and Eric Haas (catcher). Landon Loop will start against right-hander Emmett Sheehan.
[Los Angeles (USA) = KIM JAE HO, MK Sports Correspondent]
