The 'monster pitcher' Ryu Hyun-jin (38, Hanwha Eagles) was startled by an unexpected hit-by-pitch. When Gu Ja-wook (32, Samsung Lions) went to the hospital after being hit by Ryu's pitch and complained of pain, Ryu went down from the mound to the batter's box to express his apology. Fortunately, Gu was diagnosed with only a simple contusion, but there are concerns as the pain still lingers.

On the 6th, Ryu Hyun-jin started the home game against Samsung in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon, pitching 5 innings and allowing 4 hits, 3 walks, 1 hit-by-pitch, with 6 strikeouts and 1 earned run, leading Hanwha to a 3-1 victory. Hanwha, riding their second 8-game winning streak of the season, has amassed an impressive 19 victories (3 losses) in their last 22 games, maintaining a tie for first place with LG at 23 wins and 13 losses (winning percentage .639).

In fact, Ryu Hyun-jin's condition was not particularly good on that day. He allowed a runner on base in every inning except the fourth. Notably uncharacteristic of him, he allowed 3 walks, and for the first time this season, he hit a batter. In the third inning, after two outs, Ryu's first pitch, a fastball clocked at 145 km/h, hit Gu Ja-wook's right elbow guard.

Gu Ja-wook, hit by the pitch without any chance to dodge, jumped up at the batter's box and then collapsed. It was a moment of shock for everyone. Ryu also came down from the mound, checked Gu Ja-wook's condition, and expressed his apology by patting his own backside. He also tipped his cap in an apology towards the Samsung dugout on the third base side.

After hitting Gu Ja-wook with a pitch, Ryu Hyun-jin's control wavered. He threw consecutive balls to Kang Min-ho, allowing a straight walk. Although he threw a curve, cutter, and fastball inside, it seemed he was concerned about having hit Gu Ja-wook, which likely affected his pitching rhythm. In the ensuing threat with runners on first and second, Ryu allowed a timely hit to Lewin Diaz, giving up the first score.

After the game, Ryu Hyun-jin said, “My pitching balance wasn’t good today. Coach Yang Sang-moon asked if I could throw one more inning, but I said I’d only pitch until the 5th because my balance wasn’t good. There’s nothing physically wrong with me,” and added, “The poor pitching balance led to many walks and even a hit-by-pitch. Overall, there was a large discrepancy between balls and strikes, which made it difficult for me to pitch 5 innings.”

He also reflected on the moment of Gu Ja-wook's hit-by-pitch, saying, “I thought it hit the painful side, so I was also surprised,” and noted, “There was a little bit of an impact on my pitching afterwards. It was burdensome to pitch inside.”

After completing his baserunning play, Gu Ja-wook was substituted by Kim Tae-keun before the third inning. Gu, who went to the hospital after icing his right elbow pain from the hit-by-pitch, fortunately received a diagnosis of a simple contusion. However, it appears he will have pain for a few days, making his participation uncertain for the game against Hanwha on the 7th. This is bad news for Samsung, who are on a four-game losing streak.

Though there were unfortunate hit-by-pitches and Ryu Hyun-jin’s condition wasn’t good, he succeeded in his 5-inning, 1-earned-run performance thanks to his exceptional crisis management ability, capturing the victory. He secured his 4th win (1 loss) of the season, lowering his earned run average to 2.91. Although the result was good, Ryu was unable to smile fully.

Ryu felt regret about the hit-by-pitch incident and also about only pitching until the 5th inning, leaving the bullpen with 4 innings to cover. That day, Hanwha's closer Kim Seo-hyun was taking a break after consecutive outings, making the 4 innings for the bullpen feel even heavier. However, five relief pitchers, including Park Sang-won (1 inning), Kim Beom-soo (⅓ inning), Jung Woo-joo (1⅓ innings), Jo Dong-wook (⅓ inning), and Han Seung-hyuk (1 inning), combined for 4 innings of scoreless pitching, preserving Ryu Hyun-jin’s victory.

Ryu Hyun-jin said, “I’m sorry that I could only pitch 5 innings and had to come down, leaving it to the bullpen. As a starter, I should always pitch about 6 innings, but I made the middle relievers come out a lot,” expressing self-reproach. He added, “I will prepare well over the next few days so that I can pitch 6 innings or more with good balance in the next game.”

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