Incheon: Hanwha Eagles pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin, 39, has once again demonstrated his commanding presence on the mound, silencing the SSG Landers’ offense. On June 28th, at the Incheon SSG Landers Field, Ryu delivered a masterful performance, pitching six innings and allowing only one earned run in a decisive outing.
Ryu’s Season of Consistency Continues
While Ryu surrendered six hits, he avoided issuing any walks and struck out seven batters, effectively stifling the SSG lineup to a single run. This outing marks a significant milestone in his June campaign, as it’s the fifth consecutive start where he has completed at least six innings. His pitching has been remarkably consistent, with his pitch count remaining under 80 in each of these starts. This suggests a well-executed game plan and a strong command of his pitches, aligning perfectly with his pre-game strategy.
Ryu’s impressive streak of consistent outings began on June 5th against the Lotte Giants, where he pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs without any walks. This was followed by a 6-inning, 1-earned-run performance against the KIA Tigers on June 11th, and a 6-inning, 2-earned-run (1 unearned) outing against the NC Dinos on June 17th. He continued this trend with a 6-inning, 2-earned-run performance against the Doosan Bears on June 23rd, culminating in his dominant display against the Landers.
Masterful Control and Pitch Variety
Against the SSG Landers, Ryu showcased his exceptional control from the very first inning. He retired the side in order in the bottom of the first, facing Park Seong-han, Edia, and Choi Jeong, all on just eight pitches. His efficient pitching continued into the second inning, where he struck out Kim Jae-hwan and then swiftly retired Go Myung-jun and Oh Tae-gon to end the inning.
The third inning saw Ryu continue his impressive strikeout run, fanning Choi Ji-hoon, Jo Hyung-woo, and Jeong Jun-jae consecutively. This display of dominance, featuring a fastball topping 148 km/h, a 130 km/h changeup, and a curveball as low as 104 km/h, left the SSG hitters bewildered.
Ryu encountered his first real challenge in the fourth inning. Despite his team having taken a 3-0 lead earlier in the inning due to Choi In-ho’s home run, the Landers managed to score a run. After Park Seong-han reached on an out, Choi Jeong and Kim Jae-hwan followed with consecutive hits, leading to the earned run. Both veterans showcased their experience, with Choi Jeong hitting a changeup and Kim Jae-hwan narrowly missing a third consecutive fastball.
However, Ryu quickly regained his composure, striking out Go Myung-jun and Oh Tae-gon to end the inning. He continued to battle through the fifth, retiring Choi Ji-hoon and Jo Hyung-woo before allowing an infield single to Jeong Jun-jae. He then induced a fly ball from Park Seong-han to end the threat.
Defensive Gems and Season Averages
The sixth inning presented Ryu’s final test. After allowing a leadoff single to Edia, he saw Kim Jae-hwan single with one out, putting runners on first and third. It was during this critical juncture that Ryu’s exceptional defensive support shone through. When Go Myung-jun hit a ground ball, Edia, the runner on third, hesitated before attempting to score. Ryu, however, reacted swiftly, fielded the ball, and delivered an accurate throw home for the tag out.
His defense was further bolstered by a spectacular play from third baseman Noh Si-hwan. Noh calmly fielded a sharp grounder off Oh Tae-gon’s bat and, with a powerful throw, completed the out at first base, preserving Ryu’s lead. Ryu acknowledged the stellar defensive effort with enthusiastic applause.
With this performance, Ryu Hyun-jin’s earned run average (ERA) has dropped to 2.67, placing him third in the league behind KIA’s Ollie (2.51) and Doosan’s Choi Min-seok (2.57). Should Ryu secure his ninth win in his next start, he would take sole possession of the league lead in that category.
The game concluded with Ryu’s team securing a victory, further solidifying his status as an ace pitcher and a strong contender for MVP honors.
