Hanwha Eagles Achieve Historic 10-Game Winning Streak

The Hanwha Eagles have made history by achieving their first 10-game winning streak of the 21st century, a remarkable feat that underscores their dominance in the KBO League this season. On May 9, 2025, the Eagles faced off against the Kiwoom Heroes at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, where they pulled off a thrilling 7-5 comeback victory, solidifying their position at the top of the league.

This victory marks Hanwha's first 10-game winning streak since September 24, 1999, when they last accomplished the same feat. The current streak spans an impressive 9,348 days, showcasing the team's resilience and determination. With this win, Hanwha now boasts a record of 25 wins and 13 losses, giving them a 1.5-game lead over the second-place LG Twins, who have a record of 23 wins and 14 losses.

The game started off on a rough note for Hanwha, as their starting pitcher, Eom Sang-baek, struggled early on. In the first inning, he allowed a leadoff home run to Kiwoom's Song Seong-mun, who launched a 144 km/h fastball over the right-center fence. Just moments later, Eom gave up another solo shot to Lee Joo-hyung, putting Hanwha in a 2-0 hole.

Despite the early setbacks, Hanwha began to claw back in the third inning when Moon Hyun-bin delivered a timely hit, bringing the score to 2-1. However, Eom continued to falter, allowing back-to-back home runs to Kim Tae-jin and Yashiel Puig in the fourth inning, extending Kiwoom's lead to 4-1. Eom's performance saw him exit the game after just 3 2/3 innings, having surrendered four home runs and four earned runs.

With their backs against the wall, Hanwha's bullpen stepped up to the challenge. After a quiet fifth inning, Esteban Florial sparked the comeback with a solo home run, his third of the season, cutting the deficit to 4-2. The Eagles continued their offensive surge in the seventh inning. Following a series of singles from Lee Do-yoon and Kim Tae-yeon, Hwang Young-muk's infield hit brought in a crucial run, making it 4-3. Then, Moon Hyun-bin tied the game with a sacrifice fly, completing the comeback to 4-4.

As the game entered the ninth inning, the tension was palpable. With two outs, Moon Hyun-bin delivered the decisive blow—a solo home run that sailed over the right field fence, marking his seventh of the season and giving Hanwha a 5-4 lead. The Eagles weren't done yet; Noh Si-hwan followed up with a double, and Cha Eun-seong's triple added another run, pushing the lead to 7-4. Lee Sang-hyuk rounded out the scoring with a double, his first RBI in the league.

In the bottom of the ninth, closer Kim Seo-hyun took the mound to secure the win. Although he allowed a solo home run to Lee Joo-hyung, he managed to close out the game, earning his 12th save of the season and maintaining his status as the league leader in saves.

After the game, Moon Hyun-bin reflected on the team's spirit, stating, "I don’t think we’re going to lose. If we get behind, I believe our pitchers will hold it down." His confidence encapsulated the current atmosphere within the Eagles' locker room, a place filled with optimism and determination.

Hanwha's success this season has been fueled by their ability to come from behind, with 16 of their 25 wins coming in this fashion. This resilience has made them a formidable opponent, and they continue to build on their momentum as they look to extend their winning streak further.

The atmosphere at Gocheok Sky Dome was electric, with a sold-out crowd of 16,000 fans cheering on the home team. This marked Kiwoom's first five-game consecutive sellout streak, reflecting the growing excitement around the team despite their struggles this season, now standing at 13 wins and 28 losses.

As the KBO League progresses, all eyes will be on Hanwha to see if they can maintain their winning streak and solidify their position as championship contenders. With their current form and the confidence emanating from their players, they are poised to make a significant impact as the season unfolds.

Hanwha's next challenge will be crucial as they aim to keep their winning streak alive and further extend their lead in the league. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see if this team can continue to defy expectations and potentially secure a championship title.