SEOUL – The LG Twins began their Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) title defense with an 8-2 victory over the Hanwha Eagles on Saturday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, marking a successful start to their season.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Twins took an early lead against the Eagles, challenging the latter's newly returned star, Ryu Hyun-jin, who was making his first KBO regular season start since 2012. Shin Min-jae, the Twins' infielder, played a pivotal role by driving in three runs, nearly matching his career high, and leading the charge against Ryu. The team demonstrated a strong offensive performance, with all starters securing at least one hit and collectively totaling 11 hits and six stolen bases.
Dietrich Enns, making his first KBO regular season start for the Twins, outpitched Ryu by holding the Eagles to two runs over six innings. Ryu, on the other hand, surrendered five runs on six hits and three walks, leaving the game after 3 2/3 innings without recording any strikeouts.
The Eagles initially struggled, failing to capitalize on early opportunities, which included a botched bunt in the second inning leading to a double play. Conversely, the Twins capitalized on their chances, with key hits following Ryu's loaded bases, setting the stage for their early lead and subsequent victory.
The game was part of a series of opening day matches that saw significant fan turnout, with the KBO reporting a near sell-out crowd of 23,750 at Jamsil Baseball Stadium and a total of 103,841 fans attending across the country, making it the third-highest total for an Opening Day.
Other notable games included the Samsung Lions overcoming the KT Wiz in extra innings, the SSG Landers defeating the Lotte Giants, and the Kia Tigers winning against the Kiwoom Heroes in a high-scoring game, each contributing to the vibrant start of the KBO season.
SEOUL — The Twins' strategic hitting approach led to a triumphant 8-2 victory against the Eagles, marking a challenging return for former MLB standout Ryu Hyun-jin to the South Korean baseball scene.According to Yonhap News Agency, their meticulous planning and early swings against Ryu's pitches were instrumental in their key hits during Saturday's season opener.
Shin and Park each contributed significantly to dismantling Ryu's control on the mound, focusing on exploiting his fastball. Shin's single drove in the first two runs for the Twins, breaking the initial deadlock in the second inning. Park later followed up with a crucial single in the fourth inning, turning the tide of the game by snapping a 2-2 tie and leading to Ryu's early exit.
Their success, they claimed, was due to anticipating Ryu's pitch selections. Shin, in particular, stated his strategy of targeting fastballs early in the count, a move that paid off against the 2019 National League All-Star. Park, on the other hand, adjusted his expectations based on previous at-bats against Ryu, opting for aggression over caution.
Park's respect for Ryu was palpable even amidst competition, as demonstrated by his gesture of bowing to the pitcher before his first at-bat, reflecting a collective decision among Twins' players to honor Ryu's contributions to South Korean baseball and his success overseas.
Ryu, a celebrated figure in both KBO and MLB, faced a bittersweet homecoming in his first KBO game since October 2012 after spending 11 seasons in the major leagues. Despite the competitive atmosphere, the sense of respect and admiration for Ryu's career achievements from both fans and players remained evident throughout the game.