‘Batting average June 0.177→August 0.321→September 0.440’ 11.33 billion yen genius hitter resurrected, 2G consecutive home runs + 4 hits in a row

Hot-hitting Japanese major leaguer Seiya Suzuki (29-Chicago Cubs) had his best game of the season.

Suzuki started in the No. 6 spot in the lineup against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on June 6 and went 4-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Behind Suzuki’s performance, the Cubs defeated San Francisco 11-8 in a hard-fought game to extend their winning streak to three games.

Suzuki, who hit his 15th home run of the season the previous day (May 5) to break the big league record for most home runs in a single season (14 in 2022), continued his hot hitting for the second straight day. After a grounder to third base in his first at-bat in the second inning, Suzuki reached base in each of his next four at-bats.

In the bottom of the third inning, with the Cubs trailing 1-3, Suzuki hit an infield single off San Francisco starter Ryan Walker with runners on first and second. The Cubs took a 4-3 lead on Jamie Candelario’s bunt single and Yan Gomes’ RBI double. Suzuki came home to score on Gomes’ RBI single.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, Suzuki hit a full-count double off San Francisco reliever Jacob Junis. The hit completed Suzuki’s three-game multi-hit streak. With two outs, Suzuki advanced to third on Candelario’s grounder, but was unable to score on a wild pitch.

The Cubs gave up three runs to San Francisco in the top of the sixth inning to cut the lead to 4-6, but Suzuki stepped up to the plate. With one out in the top of the seventh, Suzuki lined a five-pitch slider from San Francisco underhanded pitcher Tyler Rogers. The ball traveled at 107.7 miles per hour (173.3 kilometers per hour), and he smashed it 408 feet (124 meters) over the left field fence for a game-tying two-run shot. Suzuki’s 16th home run of the season.

Energized by Suzuki’s home run, the Cubs scored four runs in their next at-bat, including a three-run homer by Christopher Morrell, to regain a 10-6 lead.

Suzuki’s bat remained hot in the fifth inning. With the Cubs down 10-7 and runners in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth, Suzuki took a five-pitch sweeper from San Francisco left-hander Taylor Rogers and smashed it up the middle. It was the go-ahead RBI to make it 11-7.

In the top of the ninth, San Francisco leadoff hitter Wilmer Flores responded with a solo home run, but the Giants were able to prevent any further damage and hold on for the 11-8 win.

Suzuki, who arrived in the majors with a massive five-year, $85 million contract ahead of the 2022 season, fell short of expectations in his first season in the big leagues, batting .262 with 14 home runs, 46 RBIs, nine doubles and a .769 OPS in 111 games. Suzuki had excelled in Japan with his offense, defense, and defense, but the major league barrier was high.

This season, his second in the big leagues, was no different. In 71 games in the first half, he batted .259 with seven home runs, 28 RBIs, one stolen base, and a .747 OPS, not much different from his first season. In June, he struggled mightily, batting .177 with 0 home runs, 7 RBIs, and an OPS of .475 in 20 games. Primarily deployed as a center fielder, Suzuki even suffered the indignity of dropping to the eighth spot in the batting order at one point.메이저놀이터

Taking a more aggressive approach at the plate, Suzuki rebounded in August, hitting .321 with five home runs, 13 RBIs, and a 1.006 OPS in 22 games. Keeping his August momentum going, Suzuki has continued his best hitting pace since his major league debut, batting .440 with three homers, seven RBIs and a 1.441 OPS in six games in September.