adminThe “Korean Monster” Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays made his first Major League Baseball (MLB) start in 444 days. Toronto, in the midst of a late-season push for a postseason berth, reveled in Ryu’s resurgence, and even their nemesis was quick to concede defeat.
On Thursday (July 14), Ryu started a home game against the Chicago Cubs at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and went five innings, allowing two runs (unearned) on two hits and a walk while striking out three.
Toronto won 11-4, snapping a three-game losing streak. It was Ryu’s first win in the big leagues in 444 days, since May 27 of last year against the Los Angeles Angels (five innings, six hits, two runs), and his first win in three games since returning from injury.
Ryu got into trouble in the first inning on a throwing error by Toronto first baseman Brandon Belt at first base, and then gave up a two-out, two-run double to Dansby Swanson at third base. But Ryu was perfect through the next five innings.
After Ryu got out of a bases-loaded jam to start the inning, the Toronto offense immediately responded with a big inning (four or more runs in an inning) to take a 5-2 lead. Ryu loaded the bases with a single in the third, but catcher Danny Jansen made an accurate throw to end the steal attempt. The fourth inning got off to a shaky start with a leadoff walk to Cody Bellinger, his former teammate with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he retired the next three batters. In the ensuing offense, Toronto added three runs on four hits and a walk.
After retiring the side in order in the fifth, Ryu threw 86 pitches on the day and left the mound with an 8-2 lead. He lowered his season ERA from 4.00 to 2.57. For Toronto, which is hanging on for dear life in the third American League wild-card spot, Ryu’s resurgence is a major boost in the late-season race for a postseason berth.
“It’s amazing,” Toronto manager John Schneider said after the game. He’s a guy who never loses his groove,” said manager John Schuder after the game, adding, “In the three games since he’s been back, he’s been able to replicate what he was able to do before (the elbow injury). It’s not easy to do that at his age, and it looks like it’s easy for him.”
Cubs manager David Ross said, “His velocity isn’t back yet, but he can throw. His changeup was amazing.” “He’s hard to score a lot of runs after you give up a lead. Once we gave up the lead, he went on a cruise.”바카라사이트
Speaking to local media after the game, Ryu said, “Since my last start, all my pitches have been working very well. I feel like I’m back to where I wanted to be,” he said. “I felt good from my first bullpen pitch after the surgery. During my rehabilitation, I never stopped or hesitated. Everything went smoothly and I’m very happy with that.”