"Ryu Hyun-jin! Ryu Hyun-jin!" Twenty years ago and even now, he was the "Pae-Pae-Pae-Pae-Pae Ryu" who carried the team... Hanwha defeats Lotte 5-0 to end six-game losing streak [Busan On-the-Ground Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Ryu Hyun-jin! Ryu Hyun-jin!"

Twenty years ago, when he was known as the "youngest father of the family," and even now, as he approaches his 40s, the most reliable name for Hanwha Eagles, who had fallen into a losing streak, was Ryu Hyun-jin (39). As fans cheered loudly, chanting Ryu Hyun-jin's name, the veteran pitcher snapped the nightmare losing streak.

On the 18th, Hanwha defeated Lotte Giants 5-0 in a regular-season KBO League away game held at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, with a total attendance of 23,200 spectators. With this victory, Hanwha escaped its six-game losing streak and pushed Lotte, which had also stood at 7 wins and 10 losses, into a two-game losing streak, thereby improving its standing by one position.

The outcome was decided in the starting pitcher showdown. Hanwha's Ryu Hyun-jin pitched seven innings, allowing four hits, no walks, and three strikeouts without conceding a run, securing his second win of the season. On this day, Ryu Hyun-jin threw 86 pitches, including 42 fastballs clocked at a maximum speed of 149 km/h, 19 changeups, 10 cutters, one curveball, and five sweepers, inducing numerous groundouts. His signature changeup and his newly introduced "new weapon," the sweeper, delivered another solid performance against left-handed batters. The highlight was his ability to draw a swing-and-miss and record a looking strikeout against No Jin-hyeok.

In contrast, Lotte's Jeremy Biesli, complaining of dizziness, was pulled after just 2⅓ innings, allowing five hits, no walks, three strikeouts, and three runs, becoming the losing pitcher. The subsequent relief pitching by Hyun Do-hoon, who pitched 3⅔ innings, allowing three hits, no walks, two strikeouts, and no runs, provided some consolation.

The Lotte lineup was also significantly outmatched by Hanwha. Lotte's Victor Reyes stood out with three hits in four at-bats, recording the only multi-hit performance of the game. Hanwha's Jonathan Ferrara delivered three hits in four at-bats with one RBI and two runs scored, followed by multi-hit performances from Kang Baek-ho, Lee Won-seok, and Chae Eun-seong. Moon Hyun-bin also contributed with one hit in five at-bats and two RBIs, sealing Hanwha's victory.

On this day, Lotte lined up with Victor Reyes (left field), No Jin-hyeok (first base), Yoon Dong-hee (right field), Han Dong-hee (third base), Jeon Jun-woo (designated hitter), Son Ho-young (center field), Han Taeyang (second base), Son Seong-bin (catcher), and Jeon Min-jae (shortstop). Jeremy Biesli started on the mound.

Hanwha countered with Lee Won-seok (center field), Jonathan Ferrara (right field), Moon Hyun-bin (left field), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Chae Eun-seong (first base), Lee Do-yoon (second base), Kim Tae-yeon (third base), Choi Jae-hoon (catcher), and Sim Woo-jun (shortstop). Ryu Hyun-jin started on the mound.

Hanwha's lineup immediately attacked Lotte's mound. In the top of the first inning, Ferrara hit a ground ball to center field, and Kang Baek-ho hit a ground ball to right field, creating a two-out, bases-loaded situation. However, Chae Eun-seong's hit went straight to Biesli's glove, and no runs were scored.

In the top of the third inning, the first run was scored. Lee Won-seok hit a sharp line drive to the center of Biesli's strike zone, resulting in a triple that struck the right-field wall. Ferrara then connected on the second pitch inside to the right-field line for a two-run RBI double, breaking the 0th-0 tie.

A wild pitch and a defensive error further troubled Biesli. During Moon Hyun-bin's at-bat, Biesli's third pitch hit catcher Son Seong-bin and bounced sharply toward the Lotte dugout. Although Biesli sprinted to cover the play, the runner from third base had already crossed home plate.

To make matters worse, when Moon Hyun-bin hit a ground ball, second baseman Han Taeyang, who chose to throw home, fumbled the ball once, allowing Hanwha to score an additional run. Shortly after, Kang Baek-ho hit a two-run RBI double to left-center field, extending the lead to 3-0.

Lotte faced further setbacks as Biesli was pulled due to dizziness. The defensive error by second baseman Han Taeyang also led to his substitution with Jang Du-seong. Jang Du-seong replaced Son Ho-young in center field, and Son Ho-young moved to second base. Hyun Do-hoon's strong pitching allowed Lotte to catch its breath. Despite the sudden appearance, Hyun Do-hoon pitched 3⅔ innings without allowing a walk or a run, maintaining a tight contest.

Meanwhile, Ryu Hyun-jin delivered steady pitching. He allowed a double to Jeon Jun-woo in the bottom of the second inning and faced a two-out, bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the third, but ultimately did not allow any runs. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Ryu Hyun-jin induced another double play. He efficiently finished the fifth inning with just six pitches and the sixth with 11 pitches. Although he struggled in the seventh inning, using nine pitches against Jeon Jun-woo, he ultimately retired him with a fly ball to center field.

Hanwha extended its lead run by run to secure the victory. In the top of the seventh inning, leadoff batter Lee Won-seok drew a walk, and Ferrara hit a ground ball to right field, creating a no-out, first-and-second situation. Even as Lee Won-seok was thrown out trying to advance to third base on Son Seong-bin's throw, Moon Hyun-bin hit a one-run RBI double to left-center field, keeping the momentum alive.

In the top of the eighth inning, leadoff batter Lee Do-yoon created an infield single with aggressive base running. Kim Tae-yeon's sacrifice bunt, followed by consecutive walks by Choi Jae-hoon and Sim Woo-jun, loaded the bases with one out. Lee Won-seok's ground ball then scored the fifth run, making it 5-0.

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*This content was translated by AI.