In a dramatic turn of events on April 24, 2025, the Hanwha Eagles fell short against the Lotte Giants, losing 3-5 at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan. This defeat marked a significant moment in the Eagles' season, as they were on the brink of achieving a historic 9-game winning streak, a feat they hadn't accomplished in 20 years since June 2005.
Prior to this game, the Eagles had been riding high with an impressive record of 8 consecutive wins, all attributed to their starting pitchers. However, the franchise's hopes were dashed as they faced the formidable Lotte Giants, who managed to halt Hanwha's momentum.
The matchup featured a highly anticipated pitching duel between Hanwha's ace Ryu Hyun-jin and Lotte's Park Se-woong. Both pitchers entered the game with strong performances in the season, but it was Park who ultimately emerged victorious. He delivered a quality start, pitching 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 3 runs while striking out 9 batters, thereby improving his record to 5 wins this season.
Ryu Hyun-jin, known as the 'Monster', started strong but faltered in the later innings. He pitched 6 innings, giving up 7 hits, including a solo home run, and allowing 4 runs. This marked his first loss of the season, dropping his record to 2 wins and 1 loss.
Hanwha got off to a promising start in the game, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 2nd inning. Noh Si-hwan kickstarted the rally with a hit, followed by consecutive walks from Chae Eun-seong and Lee Jin-young, loading the bases. Despite some early struggles, Hanwha capitalized on the opportunity as Sim Woo-jun hit an infield single, and Ahn Chi-hong delivered a two-run single, giving the Eagles a 3-0 lead.
However, Lotte began their comeback in the bottom of the 4th inning when Yoon Dong-hee hit a solo home run off Ryu, narrowing the gap to 3-1. The Giants continued to press in the 6th inning, starting with consecutive hits from Hwang Seong-bin and Yoon Dong-hee, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Ko Seung-min that put runners in scoring position.
With one out and the bases loaded, Hanwha's strategy to intentionally walk Victor Reyes backfired. Na Seung-yeop delivered a clutch two-run double, and Jeon Jun-woo added to the score with a ground ball, completing the turnaround and putting Lotte ahead 4-3.
As the game progressed into the 8th inning, Lotte extended their lead. Reyes, who had been intentionally walked earlier, made his presence felt by hitting a two-run double, followed by a sacrifice fly that solidified the Giants' 5-3 advantage.
Despite the setback, Hanwha's players remained optimistic. The Eagles' manager expressed pride in the team's performance leading up to this game but acknowledged the disappointment of missing out on the 9-game winning streak. "We were close, but we need to learn from this and come back stronger," he stated.
The loss not only ended Hanwha's bid for a historic streak but also halted their consecutive wins by starting pitchers at 8, a record that stands as the fifth-longest in KBO history. The Eagles had hoped to break the franchise's previous record and challenge the league's all-time mark of 12 consecutive wins set by the Samsung Lions in 1986.
As the game concluded, Lotte's closer Kim Won-joong came in to secure the win, striking out all three batters he faced in the 9th inning, sealing the victory for the Giants.
This match was not just a setback for Hanwha; it also showcased the resilience of the Lotte Giants, who demonstrated that they could rally from behind and capitalize on their opponents' mistakes.
Looking ahead, both teams will be eager to regroup. Hanwha will aim to bounce back in their next matchup, while Lotte will look to build on their momentum and continue their push in the KBO League standings.
In summary, the Eagles' aspirations for a historic 9-game winning streak were thwarted by a determined Lotte Giants team, leaving Hanwha to reflect on missed opportunities as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
