Ryu Hyun-jin (39 · Hanwha Eagles) snapped the team’s six-game losing streak with a dominant start.
Ryu took the mound on the 18th at Busan’s Sajik Baseball Stadium in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League matchup against the Lotte Giants. He worked seven innings, allowed four hits, issued no walks and struck out three, picking up his second win of the season in Hanwha’s 5-0 victory.
Ryu, who earned a win on April 7 vs. SSG after a 6-inning, 4-hit (one homer), two-walk, 10-strikeout outing that yielded two runs, returned to the rotation after 11 days and finally ended Hanwha’s frustrating six-game slide.
It was his first seven-inning start since last August’s game against Lotte.
He paired a fastball that topped out at 149㎞ (about 92.6 mph) with a mix of changeups, cutters, sweepers and a curve. His recently added sweeper — a pitch with pronounced lateral movement similar to ones thrown by MLB pitchers such as Shohei Ohtani — played particularly well against left-handed hitters. Ryu developed the pitch further by studying teammate Wang Yen-cheng (25).
Except for the third inning, Ryu retired the side in order through the fifth, effectively neutralizing Lotte’s lineup.
With Ryu cruising and Hanwha up 3-0, Mun Hyun-bin delivered an RBI double with the bases loaded in the seventh to add a run. In the top of the eighth, Lee Won-seok’s groundout produced the insurance run.
Ryu had thrown just 71 pitches through six innings and looked capable of going eight, but manager Kim Kyung-moon chose not to push him and turned to the bullpen.
After Ryu exited, Kim Jong-su (0.2 scoreless innings), Cho Dong-wook (0.1 scoreless innings) and Jack Cushing (1.0 scoreless inning) closed out the victory.
With the pitching settled, the defense tightened up. During the losing streak Hanwha had hurt itself with costly errors, but the team produced several standout defensive plays on this afternoon.
At the plate, Peraza went 3-for-4 with an RBI, two runs and a walk. Mun Hyun-bin’s RBI double provided key support, and Kang Baek-ho and Chae Eun-seong each recorded multi-hit games to help secure the win.
On the other side, Lotte starter Jeremy Biddle complained of dizziness and left in the third inning. He took the loss after 2.1 innings, allowing five hits, issuing no walks, striking out five and giving up three runs. Victor Reyes delivered a big day at the plate (3-for-4) but couldn’t prevent Lotte’s shutout defeat.
Meanwhile, No Si-hwan — the position player who signed a 10-year, 30.7 billion KRW (approximately 23.03 million USD) extension with Hanwha — served as the designated hitter in the Futures League game against the Ulsan Whales at Seosan Baseball Stadium (Chungnam), recording one hit and three walks.
Despite the high expectations surrounding his long-term deal, No was removed from the first-team roster on the 13th due to poor performance. The club said the decision was made to relieve the psychological pressure weighing on him.
No will complete the Futures League schedule through the 20th before rejoining the first team. After participating in group training, he is expected to be in the starting lineup for the April 23 game against the LG Twins.
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