When Lee Jung-hoo made an impact on both offense and defense, San Francisco manager Tony Vítello didn’t hold back his praise. Vítello singled out Lee’s defense and his ability to execute plays, saying the outing reinforced the team’s confidence in him.
After the 5-2 win over Pittsburgh on the 9th, Vítello told reporters that Lee’s defensive play was the most impressive moment of the game. “Sorry to the other guys, but Lee’s play stood out,” he said. “It was nearly magical — for a moment I wasn’t even sure he had the ball.”
In the top of the sixth, Lee chased a foul all the way to the netting in front of the stands and made a focused, crowd-pleasing catch. The all-out effort drew cheers and swung momentum in San Francisco’s favor.
He also delivered at the plate. Starting as the leadoff right fielder, Lee went 2-for-4 for his 12th multi-hit game of the season. The performance snapped a slump in which he had managed just two hits in 22 at-bats earlier in May, and it nudged his season average up to .270.
Vítello also praised a hit-and-run in the third inning. “When I ask Jung-hoo to do something, he executes it precisely,” Vítello said. “It wasn’t an easy pitch, but he stayed low, followed through and extended the bat without losing his balance.” The play didn’t produce a run, but it applied pressure to the opposing battery (pitcher and catcher).
Lee’s rebound is a welcome sign for the club. San Francisco’s 5-2 victory lifted the team’s mood, and the lineup showed signs of waking up after a recent lull. Rafael Devers also got going again, collecting two hits, including a solo homer.
Vítello expressed confidence about the turnaround. “We’re a much better team than our record indicates,” he said. “We don’t need miracles — we just need to approach each day with confidence.”
Between the multi-hit game, the highlight-reel catch and his manager’s public praise, Lee appears to be kicking off a comeback after a slow start to May.
Photo = AP / Yonhap News
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