Ryu Hyun-jin ends tough month with another loss

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin waits on the ball during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Tuesday. [USA TODAY/YONHAP]

Ryu Hyun-jin picked up his second straight loss on Tuesday, giving up three runs as the Toronto Blue Jays lost 4-2 to the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Ryu pitched five and two third innings, five of them without a single hit before allowing three runs on three hits at the top of the sixth.

The Korean southpaw also gave up an uncharacteristically high three walks as control was clearly an issue. Ryu has only given up three or more walks on two other occasions in 26 starts so far this season.

Ryu looked sloppy at the very top of the game, giving up two walks in the first inning, including to the first batter in the box. He rallied at the top of the second, treating fans to a four inning pitching masterclass.

Ryu sent 15 batters down in order with minimal effort — the fourth inning only took five pitches — and looked in complete control until the final batter at the top of the sixth. With two out and nobody on, the Korean ace allowed the Orioles to string together a double, a single, a walk and another double to bring three runners across the plate before Adam Climber took over on the mound and got the final out.

The Blue Jays were able to get one across in the third and one in the sixth, but couldn't chase the Orioles' lead. Baltimore added one more at the top of the seventh to lock in the 4-2 win.

The loss caps off a difficult month for Ryu. In six starts in August, Ryu recorded three loses, two wins and a no decision. His ERA for the month is 6.21, significantly higher than any other month this year, pushing his season ERA up to 3.92.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]