I never thought it would happen, but it really did. The record for the most strikeouts in a regular inning of professional baseball, set by Ryu Hyun-jin (38, Hanwha Eagles) at 17, was broken for the first time in 15 years. Foreign pitcher Cody Ponce (31) from the same team stunned everyone with a record-breaking 18 strikeouts.

Ponce led Hanwha to a 1-0 victory, pitching 8 innings with 2 hits, 1 walk, and 18 strikeouts without allowing a run in the first game of the doubleheader against SSG Landers on the 17th at Hanwha Life Eagles Park. With this win, Ponce achieved his 8th victory of the season, extending his unbeaten streak to 10 games. He also ranks first in wins, earned run average (1.48), and strikeouts (93).

The 18 strikeouts set a new record for the most in a single game in the KBO League and marked the first such occurrence in 34 years. It tied the record set by Sun Dong-yeol of Haitai on June 11, 1991, against Binggrae with 18 strikeouts. Sun pitched 13 innings, recording 18 strikeouts. With 9 innings as the standard, Ryu Hyun-jin's 17 strikeouts recorded on May 11, 2010, against LG in Cheongju remains the highest. At that time, Ryu achieved a complete game victory, allowing just 1 run.

Seventeen strikeouts in 9 innings was considered an inviolable record in the KBO League. After striking out 12 batters against SSG on the 15th of last month, Ponce challenged, saying, “My only goal is to surpass Ryu Hyun-jin's 17 strikeouts,” but Ryu's response was a noncommittal 'we'll see.'

After the victory over SSG on the 17th of last month, Ryu stated regarding Ponce's challenge to his 17 strikeouts, “I don't think it will be easy. Compared to back then, starting pitchers don't throw 120 pitches anymore. It will be difficult to achieve that now. As times have changed, it won't be easy,” expressing his view that in today's era of pitch management, achieving 17 strikeouts under 120 pitches will be hard.

When Ryu set the 17 strikeouts record, he threw 124 pitches. In today's era of 'managed baseball,' throwing that much would lead to controversies over pitcher abuse. However, Ponce struck out 13 batters in a game against NC on the 20th of last month, then surpassed Ryu's record with 18 strikeouts against SSG after throwing 113 pitches. Ryu, from the dugout, raised his hands above his head and applauded. After Ponce completed his 8th inning, they embraced in the dugout.

Hanwha officials also expressed disbelief, saying, “We really thought Ryu Hyun-jin's record of 17 strikeouts would never be broken. We didn't think it would be broken while pitching through only 8 innings, not even 9. Ryu, who saw his record broken right in front of him, must also have been surprised.”

After the game, Ryu conveyed his congratulations on Ponce's historic achievement through the team, saying, “What else is there to say? Congratulations. It's something to celebrate with open arms.” Although he could have felt regret at seeing his record broken right before his eyes, he demonstrated dignified joy as a teammate who sincerely respects Ponce.

Ponce, who deeply admires and follows Ryu Hyun-jin, given his superior Major League career, said, “It is an honor to achieve such a record at Hanwha. I am even happier that it happened at home, even though our stadiums are different, as I did it alongside Ryu Hyun-jin. It's an indescribably moving moment,” and added, “After setting the record, Ryu congratulated me. He asked, 'Are you going to pitch one more inning?' which is a joke we always share among our starters.”

Coincidentally, Ryu is set to start on the mound the day after Ponce sets the record. He is scheduled to be the starting pitcher in the game against SSG on the 18th. Compared to his prime, Ryu's pitches are not as fast anymore, and he is no longer a pitcher who strikes out many batters. His highest strikeout in a game this year is 7, achieved on the 24th of last month against Lotte. Last year, the highest was 9, recorded against KT on March 29 in Daejeon. Since returning to the KBO League, Ryu has yet to record double-digit strikeouts. The most recent occurred while with the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 27, 2019, when he struck out 10 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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