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.
SEOUL – The LG Twins are gearing up for their Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season opener against the Hanwha Eagles, showcasing confidence against the Eagles' star pitcher, Ryu Hyun-jin, who returns to the KBO after an 11-year stint in Major League Baseball.According to Yonhap News Agency, Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb during a pregame meeting at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, the team plans to face Ryu with a strategy that defies the conventional wisdom against the left-handed pitcher known for his command and off-speed pitches. Despite Ryu's potential to challenge left-handed batters with his arsenal, the Twins will line up seven left-handed hitters against him, a decision reflecting Youm's confidence in his team's ability to handle Ryu's style.
Youm expressed his strategy for the game, emphasizing an aggressive approach from the start and opting not to sacrifice bunt in the early innings. He believes the Twins' hitters have the capacity to score off Ryu, although he refrained from predicting an exact number of runs, aiming not to provoke the opposing team.
Ryu, noted for his precise command rather than overpowering speed, has been a formidable pitcher with his ability to induce weak contact. Youm advised his players to be selective against Ryu, choosing one side of the plate to focus their hitting efforts to improve their chances.
The Twins are countering with American lefty Dietrich Enns, who is making his KBO debut. Youm outlined his expectations for Enns, emphasizing the importance of adjusting to KBO play and establishing himself as the Twins' leading starter for the season. Enns’ cutter, likened more to a slider, is anticipated to be effective against right-handers, and Youm hinted at the need for Enns to diversify his pitch selection to maintain effectiveness.
In preparation for the season, the Twins recently faced the San Diego Padres in an exhibition game, an experience Youm believes will benefit his team in their regular season opener. He encouraged his players to approach the preseason game with the same intensity as a regular game, preparing them for the season's challenges.
On the other side, Eagles manager Choi Won-ho has his strategy set for Ryu, who is expected to throw around 90 pitches in his season debut. Choi also highlighted his confidence in the Eagles' predominantly right-handed lineup, particularly focusing on key hitters who he believes can challenge Enns.
The return of Ryu to the KBO and the Eagles after his MLB tenure is marked with high expectations for the team, which made the postseason only once during his absence. Choi acknowledged the pressure but emphasized that embracing these high expectations is part of being a professional athlete, signaling a shift from rebuilding to contending.
SEOUL – The Korean Embassy in Russia has reported no injuries or deaths among Korean citizens following a deadly shooting at a Moscow concert venue.According to Yonhap News Agency, the attack occurred on Friday in the Russian capital, resulting in at least 60 fatalities and over 100 injuries. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the violence that erupted at the concert venue. The embassy has been actively assessing the situation to determine the impact on Korean nationals through local media and contacts within the Korean community in Russia.
The embassy has issued a safety advisory to the Korean community, advising caution in the aftermath of the attack. The communication is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of approximately 3,600 Koreans residing in Russia, as estimated from last year's data.
Officials have stated that they will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates regarding Korean casualties as more information becomes available.