Two Korean Major Leaguers called upon as final batters on their day off — how did they fare?

 Jung Hoo Lee⚾

Jung Hoo Lee appeared as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning during an away game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 18 (Korean time). Although it was his scheduled day off, manager Bob Melvin brought him in for the team’s final at-bat in the bottom of the ninth inning.

With two outs and the Giants trailing 4-6, Lee faced Phillies closer José Alvarado once again. This time, he made contact with Alvarado’s sixth-pitch sinker and hit a single. The ball bounced high over Alvarado’s head, passed the shortstop, and was fielded by the second baseman positioned behind second base—but Lee had already beaten the throw to first with his quick feet.

With that hit, Lee raised his batting average to .348, with an on-base percentage of .403 and a slugging percentage of .652. There were no runners on base at the time, so he didn’t score, and unfortunately, the next batter grounded out to shortstop, ending the game.

Nevertheless, Giants fans cheered Melvin’s surprise move to bring in Lee, and though the team lost, the moment was meaningful as it helped Lee stay in rhythm at the plate.

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Tommy Edman⚾

Meanwhile, another Korean-American Major Leaguer, Tommy Edman, also stepped in as a pinch hitter on his day off.

On April 29 (Korean time), the LA Dodgers played a tense home game against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, which extended into the 10th inning. The Dodgers had taken an early 5–0 lead by the 5th inning, thanks in part to Shohei Ohtani scoring first, but in the top of the 6th, Miami’s Dane Myers hit a grand slam to tie the game 5–5. The deadlock continued until the game went into extra innings. In the top of the 10th, Miami managed to score first.

With the Dodgers now trailing 5–6 in the bottom of the 10th inning—

Although it was his rest day, manager Dave Roberts called on Edman to pinch hit in the bottom of the 8th. Unfortunately, he flied out. However, because the game went into extra innings, Edman came to the plate once more. With two runners on base after a bunt in the bottom of the 10th, it was Edman’s turn to bat again.

Facing pitcher Ronny Henriquez, who threw a high breaking ball, Edman made contact and delivered a single that dropped in front of the right fielder. Both base runners scored on that hit, and the Dodgers came back to win 7–6.

After leading the team to a dramatic comeback victory, Edman said in a post-game interview:

“I always like being in the game. I think it’s good to get some early rest. Being a switch hitter, I can pinch hit against lefties or righties, or come in as a defensive replacement. And today, I got to rest for seven innings—just a little less than usual.”

 You can’t beat someone who’s truly enjoying the game!