The Korean Monster taught me what’s more important against a monster that throws up to 164 kilometers. He pitched a great game while getting a good education.
Ryu Hyun-jin pitched a five-inning, 83-pitch, four-hit, one-walk, seven-strikeout, two-run (unearned) shutout against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S., on July 21. Ryu picked up his second win and lowered his ERA to 1.89.온라인바카라
His starting matchup was Hunter Green. Green has one of the best fastballs in the majors. His fastball has reached 102.2 miles per hour (164.1 km/h) this year. Ryu Hyun-jin, on the other hand, topped out at 91.1 mph (146.6 km/h) this year. That’s a difference of nearly 18 kilometers.
But velocity isn’t everything, and while Green is a top-notch fastball pitcher and prospect, he’s still a work in progress.
Ryu’s 11 years of experience in the major leagues taught him that velocity isn’t everything, and that command and control are more important. On the day, Ryu threw 38 pitches, 18 changeups, 16 curves, and 11 cutters. His fastball topped out at 89.6 mph (144.2 km/h) and his average velocity was 87.4 mph (140.7 km/h).
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (All rights reserved)
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (All rights reserved)
On this particular day, Ryu used his 60 mph curveball to take the wind out of Cincinnati’s sails. It became his weapon and the deciding pitch. When he struck out Eli De La Cruz on three pitches with runners on second and third in the fifth inning, his final pitch was a slow 66.8 mph (107.5 km/h) curveball. It was a beautiful curveball that parabolized like a rainbow, and De La Cruz could only watch.
It went where hitters couldn’t easily hit it, and Ryu commanded it where he wanted it. Combine that with his excellent command of his fastball and curve changeup, and he had the Cincinnati hitters completely off-balance. He allowed only two hard-hit balls (95+ mph), and the Cincinnati batters were unable to generate any runs. The two runs were also unearned, so they weren’t a concern for Ryu.
Green, on the other hand, topped out at 100.3 mph (161.4 km/h) and averaged 98.4 mph (158.3 km/h) on the day. Green’s stuff was disappointing, even if you take into account that it was his first start since June 18, nearly two months after returning from a right hip injury. He confirmed that no matter how fast he throws, if his command isn’t intact and he can’t control his velocity, he’s going to get pounded.
On the day, Green gave up eight runs on five hits. He was charged with nine runs (eight earned) on 10 hits (five homers) with three walks and four strikeouts in three innings, tying his career high and marking his most complete game.
Even with his velocity, he only struck out four batters and was overpowered. He also gave up 11 hard hits. Ryu, on the other hand, got the most out of a fastball that wasn’t quite green. On this day, the difference between their fastballs’ average velocity was 11 miles (17.7 kilometers). It was a clear indication that velocity isn’t everything. /jhrae@osen.co.kr
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (All rights reserved)
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