Reyes Struggles As Samsung Lions Face KT Wiz

On April 13, 2025, the Samsung Lions faced off against the KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park in a highly anticipated match of the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League season. Unfortunately for the Lions, their ace pitcher, Denny Reyes, had a tough outing, struggling to find his rhythm on a day marked by inclement weather, including hail and strong winds.

Reyes, who had previously shown great promise with two wins in his last two starts, was unable to replicate that success. In just two innings of work, he allowed seven hits, issued two walks, and surrendered five runs. This performance starkly contrasted with his previous outings where he had pitched effectively, including a solid 5-inning, 2-run game against Doosan on March 30 and a remarkable 7-inning shutout against Hanwha on April 6.

The game started with Reyes looking shaky from the very first pitch. He faced a daunting challenge in the bottom of the first inning where, after two outs, he gave up consecutive hits to Jang Seong-woo and Bae Jeong-dae, both of whom scored runs. The second inning saw more struggles as Reyes allowed hits to Kang Baek-ho and Kim Min-hyeok, contributing to the mounting pressure. A sacrifice fly from Jang Seong-woo capped off the scoring for the KT Wiz, leading to Reyes being replaced by Lee Seung-min before the third inning could begin.

Reyes’ pitching stats for the day were less than stellar; he threw a total of 54 pitches, with only 30 of those being strikes. His fastball, which had previously reached speeds of 146 km/h in earlier games, was clocked at just 144 km/h during this outing, indicating a drop in performance that raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, which included a brief 8-minute delay due to hail and strong winds in the first inning, the attendance at Suwon KT Wiz Park was impressive. The game saw a complete sellout of 18,700 seats, demonstrating the unwavering support of the fans for the KT Wiz. This marked the third home game sellout for KT this season, following two sellouts during the opening series against the Hanwha Eagles.

KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol emphasized the importance of player safety in such harsh weather, voicing his concerns about the risks of injuries during the game. “What kind of April weather is this? It feels like January,” he remarked, reflecting the sentiments of many in attendance who braved the cold to support their teams.

As the game progressed, the KT Wiz established a commanding lead, going up 5-1 against the Lions. The home team’s starting pitcher, So Hyeong-jun, was looking to secure his first win since September 28, 2022, after an impressive 7-inning performance against the Doosan Bears. With the current score in favor of KT, the momentum was clearly on their side.

In the bottom of the second inning, KT’s Heo Gyeong-min made a significant impact, hitting a single with one out and a runner on first, further solidifying the Wiz's offensive onslaught. His contribution, along with the early scoring, showcased KT's determination to capitalize on the Lions' misfortunes.

As the game continued, fans remained hopeful that the Lions could mount a comeback, despite the early setbacks. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with KT supporters rallying behind their team, while Lions fans held onto the hope that their players could turn the tide.

The KBO League standings as of April 13, 2025, showed KT Wiz in a strong position, with a record that reflected their competitive edge this season. The league's current rankings indicated that KT was among the top teams, while Samsung was struggling to find their footing after a promising start.

As the game unfolds, both teams are keenly aware of the implications this match has for their season. The Lions, led by manager Park Jin-man, are determined to regroup and find their rhythm, while the Wiz are looking to build on their success and maintain their winning streak.

With the weather proving to be a challenge, the players’ resilience will be tested as they navigate through the remainder of the game. Fans on both sides are eager to see how the situation develops, hoping for a thrilling finish in what has already been a dramatic encounter.

As the afternoon progresses at Suwon KT Wiz Park, the excitement continues to build, with every pitch and hit holding the potential to change the outcome of the match. The stakes are high, and both teams are ready to battle it out until the final out.