Hanwha Eagles Achieve Historic 10-Game Winning Streak

In a thrilling matchup at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, the Hanwha Eagles soared to a 7-5 victory over the Kiwoom Heroes on May 9, 2025, marking their 10th consecutive win. This remarkable achievement not only highlights the Eagles' dominance in the league but also sets a significant milestone as it is their first 10-game winning streak in the 21st century. The last time the Eagles enjoyed such a streak was 26 years ago, in 1999.

Hanwha's victory was a rollercoaster ride, starting with an early lead for the Heroes. In the bottom of the first inning, Kiwoom's leadoff hitter, Song Seong-moon, launched a solo home run off Hanwha's starting pitcher, Eom Sang-baek, giving the Heroes a 1-0 lead. This was quickly followed by another solo shot from Lee Joo-hyung, putting Kiwoom ahead 2-0. However, the Eagles were not to be outdone.

After trailing for the first two innings, Hanwha began their comeback in the third inning. With two runners on base, Moon Hyun-bin hit a timely single, driving in the Eagles' first run. The momentum shifted further in the fifth inning when foreign player Feliz Plorio blasted a solo home run, narrowing the gap to 2-3.

The game saw several lead changes, with Kiwoom extending their lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning. Kim Tae-jin hit a home run, followed by another from Puig, before Hanwha tied the game in the seventh inning. Hwang Young-mook produced a crucial RBI single, and Moon Hyun-bin followed with a sacrifice fly, leveling the score at 4-4.

As the game entered the ninth inning, the tension was palpable. With two outs and no runners on base, Moon Hyun-bin stepped up to the plate and delivered a stunning go-ahead home run off Kiwoom's Joo Seung-woo, bringing the score to 5-4. Hanwha wasn't done yet; Noh Si-hwan then hit a single, setting the stage for Chae Eun-seong's three-run triple and Lee Sang-hyuk's subsequent double, extending the lead to 7-4.

In the bottom of the ninth, Hanwha's closer Kim Seo-hyun took the mound, aiming to secure the win. Despite allowing a solo home run to Lee Joo-hyung, who had a standout performance with two home runs in the game, Kim managed to strike out two batters to finish the game, recording his 12th save of the season.

This victory not only gives Hanwha a comfortable lead in the standings with a record of 25 wins and 13 losses but also widens the gap with the second-place LG Twins to 1.5 games. The Eagles' current winning streak is a testament to their resilience and teamwork, with key contributions from players like Moon Hyun-bin, who finished the game with 2 hits, 1 home run, and 3 RBIs, and Feliz Plorio, who also added a home run and an RBI to the scoreboard.

Head coach Kim Kyung-moon expressed pride in his team's performance but also acknowledged the pressure that comes with a winning streak. "Winning streaks are great, but they can also weigh heavily on the players. I prefer not to dwell on it too much," he stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a relaxed atmosphere as they continue their successful run.

As for the Kiwoom Heroes, the loss was a tough blow, marking their second consecutive defeat, leaving them with a record of 13 wins and 28 losses this season. Despite the loss, Lee Joo-hyung's return to form with two home runs showcased his potential as a key player for Kiwoom moving forward.

With this victory, the Hanwha Eagles not only celebrate a significant milestone but also look ahead to maintaining their momentum as they continue their campaign in the KBO League. The team is eager to break their all-time record of 14 consecutive wins set back in 1992, and with their current form, they are certainly in the running to achieve it.

In other news, four games scheduled on the same day across different stadiums were canceled due to rain, affecting teams like Lotte, KT, LG, and SSG. However, Hanwha's game at the dome went ahead as planned, allowing them to avoid the doubleheader that other teams will face in the coming days.