SEOUL — In his highly anticipated return to the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) after more than a decade in Major League Baseball (MLB), Ryu Hyun-jin experienced a challenging start on Saturday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the former MLB ERA champion struggled with his control and was let down by his defense, contributing to an 8-2 loss for the Hanwha Eagles against the LG Twins.
In his first regular-season game back in South Korea since 2012, Ryu pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on six hits and three walks. The game marked a stark departure from Ryu's dominant past in the KBO and his success in MLB, reflecting the difficulties of his adjustment back to the Korean league. An error by second baseman Moon Hyun-bin exacerbated the situation, leading to three unearned runs that increased the pressure on Ryu.
The pitcher, who first played for the Eagles from 2006 to 2012, received a warm reception from fans, reflecting his esteemed status in South Korean baseball. Despite this support, Ryu could not capitalize on a promising start, which saw him retire the first three batters with nine consecutive fastballs. As the game progressed, the Twins' batters adjusted, successfully targeting Ryu's fastballs and contributing to the Eagles' deficit.
Ryu's performance contrasts sharply with his years in MLB, where he became known for his precision and effectiveness on the mound. His return to South Korea had generated significant excitement, underscored by sold-out preseason games and high viewer engagement online.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Ryu acknowledged the support from fans and expressed his determination to improve in subsequent games. This start marks the beginning of the end of Ryu's illustrious career, now back in his home country, aiming to leave a lasting legacy in the KBO as he did in MLB.
SEOUL – The LG Twins initiated their defense of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) championship with a solid 8-2 victory over the Hanwha Eagles on Saturday, overcoming former major league pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin's return to the KBO.According to Yonhap News Agency, the Twins' infielder Shin Min-jae played a crucial role early in the game, delivering a two-run single in the second inning at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. This contributed to a total of five runs scored against Ryu, in front of an enthusiastic sellout crowd of 23,750 fans. Shin totaled three RBIs, nearly matching his career-high, while Dietrich Enns secured a win in his first KBO regular season start by limiting the Eagles to two runs across six innings.
The Twins showcased a strong offensive performance, with every starter recording at least one hit, leading to a total of 11 hits and six stolen bases throughout the game. Enns effectively outperformed Ryu, who allowed five runs, three of which were unearned, over 3 2/3 innings without recording a single strikeout.
This marked Ryu's first appearance in a KBO regular season game since October 4, 2012, following an eleven-year stint in Major League Baseball. Despite the high expectations surrounding his return to the Eagles, Ryu struggled against the Twins' lineup.
The Eagles faced challenges in capitalizing on their opportunities, notably failing to execute a successful bunt which led to a pivotal double play early in the game. Conversely, the Twins capitalized on their scoring opportunities, extending their lead and effectively sealing their victory as the game progressed.
The Twins' bullpen maintained the lead by delivering three perfect innings, securing the team's successful start to their title defense.
SEOUL — Former Major League Baseball ERA champion Ryu Hyun-jin faced challenges during his first regular-season start in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) since 2012, held on Saturday.According to Yonhap News Agency, Ryu, now with the Hanwha Eagles, surrendered five runs over 3 2/3 innings against the LG Twins during the Opening Day game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, with three of those runs being unearned due to defensive errors.
Ryu, who made a significant return to the KBO after an 11-year tenure in the majors, struggled with his pitch control and received inadequate defensive support, particularly from second baseman Moon Hyun-bin whose error led to additional runs. Remarkably, Ryu recorded no strikeouts during the outing, marking only the second time in his KBO career he has done so.
Previously, Ryu had established himself as a dominant pitcher in the KBO, achieving multiple awards and titles from 2006 to 2012 before moving to the MLB, where he continued his successful career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. His return to the KBO has been highly anticipated, drawing significant attention during preseason events and resulting in sold-out games.
Despite a promising start in the first inning, Ryu's performance declined as the game progressed, particularly in the fourth inning where a series of hits and a critical fielding error by Moon Hyun-bin undermined his efforts. This led to the Eagles falling behind and eventually losing the game 8-2, with Ryu taking the loss.
Ryu's attempt to reintegrate into the KBO after his notable MLB career, including leading MLB with a 2.32 ERA in his final season as a Dodger, has been marked by both fanfare and the physical challenges following his second Tommy John surgery. Opting to conclude his professional career in South Korea rather than the MLB, Ryu's return symbolizes a full circle in his baseball journey as he approaches his 37th birthday.