San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo and Atlanta Braves infielder Kim Ha-seong squared off in a "Korean big leaguer showdown" this season, but both fell silent at the plate. Kim, however, shone on defense, erasing a decisive hit by Lee with his trademark stellar fielding.
In a 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular-season game held Friday at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, Lee started as the No. 5 hitter and center fielder, while Kim started as the No. 9 hitter and shortstop. Despite the anticipation surrounding the matchup, both players finished the game 0-for-4.
The highlight of the game came in the bottom of the first inning. After San Francisco took a 1-0 lead, the team had a scoring chance with two outs and a runner on third. Stepping into the batter's box, Lee crushed the fifth pitch from Atlanta starter Reynaldo Lopez, sending a sharp grounder past the pitcher. It looked certain to be an RBI hit, but shortstop Kim Ha-seong made an instinctive diving catch to take the ball away and avert the threat. As the teams switched sides, the two players, whose paths crossed near first base, gently patted each other on the backside in a heartwarming display of friendship.
After the unfortunate defensive play robbed him in his first at-bat, Lee managed only fly balls in his next three plate appearances, unable to find his hitting rhythm. His season batting average, which had consistently shown high-quality hitting, dipped slightly to .327 (91 hits in 278 at-bats).
Kim, who has been mired in the worst hitting slump since reaching the big leagues, also failed to find a breakthrough. Having gone nearly a month without a hit since the Toronto Blue Jays game on the 4th, he struck out twice and, in his final at-bat in the ninth inning, saw a well-struck line drive head straight at the opposing shortstop. With seven consecutive hitless games, Kim's season batting average plunged to .072 (5 hits in 69 at-bats).
Amid the contrasting offense-and-defense duel between the Korean major leaguers, Atlanta defeated San Francisco 3-1. Atlanta firmly held onto first place in the National League East.
Meanwhile, San Diego Padres infielder Song Sung-mun made a clear impression by driving in a crucial insurance run in a game he entered as a substitute.
Song took the field as a pinch runner in the sixth inning of a home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park in San Diego, California, the same day, before moving to second base on defense in the top of the seventh. His value showed at the decisive moment. With the team narrowly ahead 3-1, the bases loaded, and one out in the eighth, he calmly hit an RBI single to center field, driving in two runners. It was a decisive blow that crushed the Dodgers' will to chase.
Song then scored himself on a subsequent double by Rodolfo Duran, adding another run. With a valuable line of 1-for-1, two RBIs, and one run scored, his season batting average rose to .222 (12 hits in 54 at-bats), while his season RBIs and runs each increased to eight. Powered by Song's clincher, San Diego routed the Dodgers 7-1.
