In an away game against the LG Twins at the opening game of the 2024 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Ryu gave five runs (two earned) and six hits and three walks in 3.2 innings. He pitched a total of 86 pitches (45 fastballs, 18 curveballs, 14 changeups, and nine cutters).
The Hanwha Eagles lost 2-6 due to Ryu`s difficulties. Ryu suffered a bruise of defeat from the opening game. He lost in his return match to the KBO League for the first time in 12 years.
The Hanwha Eagles will recruit Ryu Hyun-jin, the ace pitcher, ahead of the 2024 season. The Eagles acquired Ryu Hyun-jin, the best pitcher in the Major League and the KBO League, for a total of 17 billion won (approx. The Hanwha Eagles instantly jumped to the top five. Choi Won-ho, the manager of the Hanwha Eagles, chose Ryu as the starting pitcher for the opening game.
Ryu threw fastballs with the maximum speed of 150 kilometers per hour on the day. It was the highest speed of ball speed among left-handed pitchers in the KBO League. Even in the bottom of the first inning, he threw only nine fastballs, tying the LG lineup to three outs. This scene confirmed Ryu’s fastball power.
It is not just that. Ryu shook the timing of LG’s batters by utilizing his sudden changeup from the second inning. He also threw an e-fuse ball at the speed of 99 kilometers per hour. He also used sharp cutters to hitters who timed his fastballs.
Nevertheless, Ryu gave up two runs in the bottom of the second inning and three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. He allowed only two earned runs, including defense errors, but allowed six hits and three walks.
The problem was his control over left-handed hitters. On the day, Ryu gave up walks to a total of three batters, all of whom were left-handed hitters. The targets were Oh Ji-hwan, Kim Hyun-soo and Moon Sung-joo. When faced with left-handed hitters, fastballs were formed on the higher side of his body. As fastballs continued to be formed into balls, the ball count became disadvantageous, and opposing hitters timed the changeups.
In the end, Ryu gave up five hits and three walks out of six that he allowed in this season’s opening game to left-handed hitters. While it was affected by the large number of left-handed hitters at seven among the LG’s starting lineup, right-handed hitters were given change-ups of their main weapons and fastballs by left-handed hitters in a consistent manner. He did not look like Ryu who possesses computer control.
Ryu Hyun-jin, the best pitcher in the KBO league and the first in the National League ERA (2.32) in the 2019 season in the Major League, said the secret was accurate control. However, his ball control was shaky against left-handed hitters on the day. His unexpected command ruined Ryu’s debut game.
BY: 바카라사이트