With Victor Reyes (30), Lotte is set to set a new record for the most hits in a single season. He has only one chance left to challenge for a new history.
Reyes hit his 200th hit of this season at his second at-bat in the bottom of the third inning against Kia Tigers in Sajik on Sunday. He hit a fastball on the second pitch from rival starter Yoon Young-chul. It was the second 200th hit in a single season in KBO history in 10 years after Nexen’s Seo Geon-chang’s 201 hit in the 2014 season. He is the first foreign hitter in the history of the KBO. In the 2020 season, Doosan Bears’ Jose Miguel Fernandez challenged for 200 hits, but stopped recording 199 hits.
Since he had 200 hits in the early days of the game, he seemed to be able to set a new record instantly, but his performance was not so successful. Since then, all three at-bats have hit ground balls. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Kia Tigers’ Park Chan-ho couldn’t handle a ground ball hit towards the shortstop right away, and Reyes stepped on the first base during the fourth at-bat. It was officially recorded as a “fault.” Reyes failed to add another hit until the last at-bat. Lotte also suffered an upset loss, 8-12. Now, Lotte has only one more game left against Changwon NC on October 1. This is Reyes’ last chance.
Foreign hitters have been strong this season. It seems that the automatic pitching determination system (ABS) was also affected by the strong batting performance. 먹튀검증
Foreigners unfamiliar with the KBO League were able to compete with Korean hitters under the same conditions as ABS. Reyes has displayed remarkable performance. He had a batting average of 0.351 through Sunday, ranking second overall after SSG Guillermo Herredia (0.361). He was even stronger in chances. He has a batting average of 0.387 in the scoring zone. He has been consistent throughout the season, as evidenced by his stellar performance in the monthly batting average of .300. Lotte, which failed to advance to the postseason despite the stellar performances of all three foreign players, including Charlie Barnes and Aaron Wilkerson, one-two punch, and Reyes, remains more regretful.
The fall baseball has been frustrated, but everyone waits for Reyes to set a new record. Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung has been using Reyes, who was mainly placed at No. 4 until recently, as No. 2 since the game against Hanwha on the 22nd. It is a consideration to allow him to hit one more at-bat.
Reyes said after the final match at his home, “I’m going to get personal records, but I still have a lot of regrets about not being able to advance to the postseason.” Still, he made his commitment to a record clear. “I was able to produce many hits by giving me a chance to enter the batter’s box,” Reyes said. “I want to achieve a new record as much as the coach, coach, and the team have given consideration.”
His 200th hit alone is his second all-time high. Reyes also said, “All of my 200 hits were memorable, but the happiest one was my 200th hit today.” However, I would like to set a new record. “I would like to have at least two hits in the last game,” Reyes said. If Reyes adds one more hit against NC on Monday, he will tie Seo’s 201 hit, and set a new record if he has two hits.
Reyes, like most players ahead of the end of the season, has lost a lot of physical strength. Manager Kim Tae-hyung said, “He looks heavy.” However, despite his poor condition, Reyes is constantly producing hits. He has had hits in five consecutive games since the game against KT on the 24th. He had two hits each from Saturday to Sunday. He has only one chance to challenge for a new record, but he has plenty of chances.