Lotte Giants foreign hitter Victor Reyes is taking one step at a time toward the 200-hit mark.
Reyes started as the second batter and right fielder in Game 15 of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League KIA Tigers at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 25th and scored two hits, two RBIs and one run in five at-bats.
Reyes turned to a grounder to shortstop with one out in the top of the first inning, but made up for the disappointment in his second at-bat. In the top of the third inning, when the two teams faced 1-1 with runners on the second and third bases, KIA starter Yang Hyun-jong hit a hit to the middle, and in the meantime, third baseman Information Geun and second baseman Hwang Sung-bin scored. 메이저사이트
Reyes came out as a leadoff hitter in the top of the fifth inning and struck out swinging, but had a double with one out in the top of the seventh inning. However, he had to be satisfied with completing multi-hit by hitting a double play by the second baseman with one out and a runner on the first base in the top of the ninth inning.
After the game, Reyes said, “I think I was able to concentrate on the game rather than being physically burdened by going to defense,” adding, “I feel that fans are showing a lot of interest these days. I’m grateful that I can play baseball with such interest.”
Reyes, who showed off his strong batting performance from the beginning of the season, has elevated his batting performance since June. The trend has continued through August. Even hot and humid weather did not dampen Reyes’ performance.
Reyes set a new record for the most hits in a single season (formerly Son Ah-seop in 2017) with 193 hits in the season when he had two hits against Daejeon Hanwha Eagles on the 22nd. He set a new record by adding one hit two days later against Suwon KT Wiz on the 24th.
Reyes, who had 196 hits by the 25th, will achieve 200 hits in a single season for the second time in KBO league history after Seo Geon-chang (then Nexen Heroes, 201 hits) in 2014 if he adds four hits in the remaining four games. “I was really grateful for the consideration of the batting order so that coaches and coaches could challenge the KBO record. No matter which batting order I am in, I will focus and show good results,” he said. “I think a lot of attention from the fans seems to help me increase my concentration rather than come as a burden. I want to focus on the rest of the game and be a joy to the fans.”
