Hyun-jin Ryu (36, Toronto Blue Jays) has failed to make a quality start in six games since returning from an elbow injury. But why does the American media continue to marvel at his pitching?
Ryu made his first start of the 2023 Major League Baseball season against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, USA, on April 2, giving up two runs on four hits (one home run) over five innings with two walks and three strikeouts in a 13-9 victory. Although the win was derailed by bullpen woes, it was a dominant performance at Coors Field, a graveyard for pitchers, and continued his upward trajectory since returning from injury.
It was a crisp start. He retired Charlie Blackmon-Ezequiel Tovar-Elias Diaz in order with two strikeouts in a 0-0 first inning, then used six pitches to retire Ryan McMahon-Brandon Rogers-Hunter Goodman in order in the second. As usual, he used his low-80s fastball to win the timing battle by mixing in a cutter, curveball and changeup at the right times.
Ryu gave up his first run in the third inning, when it was 0-0. Nolan Jones led off with a single to right and gave up a leadoff double to left field off Elefuris Montero. On a favorable 1B-2S count, the four-pitch low changeup was blasted over the left field fence. His fourth homer of the season.
Ryu then walked Blackmon and singled Tova to put runners on second and third, but got Diaz to ground out to the pitcher and McMahon to strike out swinging to end the threat.
Ryu’s dominance continued. After a controversial call in the fourth inning, Goodman singled and Nolan Jones walked to put runners on first and second, but Montero, who had homered earlier in the game, got out of the jam, and he retired Brenton Doyle, Blackmon, and Tova in order on eight pitches in the fifth with the score tied 2-2.
Ryu was relieved by Imai Garcia in the sixth inning with a 4-2 lead. He threw 76 pitches. Garcia hit a three-run shot off Jones to end the game, but it was a 13-9 Toronto victory. Ryu played a big role in the win.
In a postgame article titled “Ryu was solid against Rockies,” CBS Sports highlighted Ryu’s performance. “Ryu was solid against a tough Colorado team. The only run he gave up was a home run to Montero in the third inning. It was a pitch that minimized the damage.”
Since returning from elbow ligament reconstruction surgery, Hyun-jin Ryu has helped Toronto’s wild-card bid with a 3-1 record and 2.48 ERA in six starts. He hasn’t had a quality start yet, but with the exception of an Aug. 8 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers (four scoreless innings) when he was removed after being hit by a pitch, he’s gone the full five innings required of a starter and picked up three valuable wins. Ryu is surviving in the major leagues with his so-called ‘slow aesthetic’.토스카지노
Even if he can’t go six innings like he used to, even if his velocity isn’t as high, Ryu’s pitching continues to be recognized locally. According to CBS Sports, “Ryu hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in his last five games. He has a 1.50 ERA in that span and has struck out 20 batters in 24 innings pitched.”
The outlook for the rest of the season is also bright. “Ryu’s next start will likely be against the Oakland Athletics,” said CBS Sports. His next start will likely be against the Oakland Athletics, and he’ll likely keep up the good work.”