Ryu-de Awakening

October 7, 2013

Korean Pitcher Lasts Only 3 Innings Amid Rumor of Injury

But Dodgers Win Easily, 13-6, to Take 2-1 Lead in NLDS

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu high fives teammates in the dugout after he hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning of Game 3 of the National League division baseball series against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu high-fives teammates in the dugout after he hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning of Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

By Lee Kyutae

 

 

Hyun-Jin Ryu insists he is fine, but he pitched his worst game of the season when it counted the most amid rumors of injury.

The 26-year-old Korean left-hander lasted only 3 innings, giving up 6 hits and 4 runs in his failed bid to become the first Korean pitcher to win during the Major League postseason. He did drive in a run with a sacrifice fly and hit as high as 94 MPH on the radar gun, but struck out only one and walked one.

Good thing the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t really need him to pitch well, as their bats exploded for a club record 13-runs at home against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night. The Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series (NLDS).

Ryu reportedly threw a bullpen session Friday in Atlanta while being monitored by Manager Don Mattingly, team doctor Neal ElAttrache and vice president of medical services Stan Conte but the Dodgers said there’s nothing wrong. Steve Dillbeck of Los Angeles Times said “logic says otherwise” about the situation, and wrote “Husbands arriving home in the wee hours with lipstick on their collars and reeking of bourbon don’t look half as suspicious.”

The following is a transcript of his post-game interview.

-There were some reports of you being injured. Is that the cause of your struggle today?

▲I’m not injured. I was just more nervous than I had anticipated and I didn’t work the ball count to my advantage when I got ahead.

-You seemed to throw a lot more off-speed stuff today. Is there any reason for that?

▲I thought I had good off-speed stuff today, and that’s why I threw a lot of them. It wouldn’t be an issue with a better outcome but obviously, it didn’t work out well.

-How was it different than pitching in the World Baseball Classic and the Olympics?

▲I think I got more nervous today. I feel bad about not throwing well in front of our home crowd. Fortunately, our team won, and I’ll do better if I get another opportunity.

-Talk about the 3rd inning. You had some defensive mishaps.

▲Both of them were my fault. I rushed. The base-covering mistake happened because I rushed and that throw to home was thoughtless. I won’t make those same mistakes again.

-Did the report of your injury bother you? What kind of effect did it have?

▲No. None. No one knows my body better than I do. Even if they keep saying that I am hurt, if I say I am not, then I am not. I feel fine.

-You showed a lot more emotion. How would you rate your performance tonight?

▲It probably showed on my face because I did so many things that I am not supposed to. I did some things that I should never do and they won’t happen again.

 

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  2. DI Cheon

    October 7, 2013 at 8:48 AM

    Ryu always brings good luck to Dodgers! He even hit the RBI in post season. Good Job Ryu!

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    October 7, 2013 at 1:02 PM

    ryu bring good luck because we are praying for you.
    we love you, Ryu!

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