With One Out Remaining... Ryu Hyun-jin Fails to Secure Opening Day Win for Second Consecutive Year

Toronto Blue Jays' ace Ryu Hyun-jin pitched as the starting pitcher in the opening game against the Tampa Bay Rays on the 25th (Korean time) at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Park Hee-eun] Ryu Hyun-jin (33, Toronto) started as the opening day pitcher in the Major League Baseball season opener and left the mound with just one out remaining in the 5th inning, one out short of qualifying for the win. As a result, the record of being the first Korean to achieve back-to-back opening day wins in the Major Leagues was not realized.

On the 25th (Korean time), Ryu Hyun-jin started as the opening day starter against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 Major League season opener held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.

He gave up 4 hits including 1 home run and allowed 3 runs over 4⅔ innings. He struck out 4 batters and issued 4 walks (3 bases on balls, 1 hit by pitch). Ryu, who had allowed 2 hits and 1 run with two outs in the 5th inning, gave up a long hit after two outs and was taken off the mound.

Leading 6-1 in the top of the 5th inning, Ryu Hyun-jin recorded two outs but showed a disappointing performance by issuing a walk to Hunter Renfroe.

Then, against Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, who made his big league debut that day, Ryu threw a 143 km/h fastball and gave up a two-run home run to left-center field. Ryu then gave up a double to Jose Martinez, and the Toronto bench decided to make a pitching change.

With Ryu leaving the mound before completing 5 innings, the record of being the first Korean to achieve back-to-back opening day wins in the Major Leagues was not achieved.

Previously, Ryu Hyun-jin started as the opening day starter for the LA Dodgers last year and earned the win by pitching 6 innings and allowing 1 run.

Meanwhile, according to the Toronto local daily 'Toronto Sun' and the official Major League website MLB.com, Ryu Hyun-jin said in a post-game interview conducted via video conference with reporters, "Overall, it was a tough game."

He added, "Since it was the first game with a new team and in a new environment, I was somewhat nervous," and "My command was not as sharp as before."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.