Lee Jung-hoo back on hit streak

Lee Jung-hoo, the San Francisco Giants' star outfielder, went hitless for the second consecutive game during Wednesday's matchup against the Houston Astros at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The 26-year-old South Korean slugger entered the contest starting in right field and batting leadoff, but managed just one groundout and two popouts over five at-bats. His performance brought his season batting average down from .297 to .293 after 124 hits in 423 at-bats. The game marked the continuation of a recent slump for Lee, who had previously gone 0-for-4 in Tuesday’s contest against the same opponent. Despite hitting his ninth home run of the season on Monday, against Houston and marking a personal best since entering Major League Baseball, he has struggled to find consistency in the following days. His inability to produce offensively has raised questions about his form heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Lee’s struggles were evident early in the game. In the first inning, he grounded out to third base, ending the frame without contributing to the offense. In the second, with runners on first and second and no outs, he popped out to shortstop, squandering a prime scoring opportunity. A drive to left-center in the fourth inning was caught by Houston center fielder Daulton Varsho, who made a diving stop to preserve the Astros' lead. In the sixth inning, Lee again grounded out to third base, continuing his trend of failing to reach base via a hit. With the Giants trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, he came to the plate for the final time, grounding out to second base to conclude the game. The Giants ultimately fell to 51-70 on the season, though they still held onto fourth place in the National League West. Lee’s current slump comes at a critical juncture for the Giants, who are fighting for playoff positioning in a competitive NL West division. His power has been a key component of their lineup this season, particularly given his ability to hit home runs consistently. However, his recent struggles have forced manager Gabe Kapler to consider alternative approaches to get him back on track. The Giants' offensive woes extended beyond Lee, as the team managed just three hits overall in the loss. Houston starter Justin Verlander pitched effectively, holding San Francisco to minimal damage while striking out six batters. The Astros, meanwhile, capitalized on their opportunities, scoring two runs in the fifth inning and adding another in the seventh to secure the victory. Lee’s performance has drawn attention from both fans and analysts, many of whom are watching closely to see whether he can bounce back in the upcoming games. His previous success against Houston, including the walk-off home run in Monday’s game, suggests that he is capable of turning his fortunes around quickly. However, maintaining consistency will be crucial for the Giants as they look to improve their standing in the division. With the trade deadline approaching, the Giants could face difficult decisions regarding their roster composition. Whether Lee continues to struggle or rebounds will play a role in those considerations. For now, the focus remains on helping him regain his form and contribute more effectively to the team’s efforts in the final weeks of the regular season.