Ryu roughed up again in second start of 2022 season

Baseball

Published: 17 Apr. 2022, 15:37 Updated: 17 Apr. 2022, 18:20

Ryu roughed up again in second start of 2022 season

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin looks on from the mound as Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy rounds the bases on a two-run home run during the third inning of a game in Toronto on Saturday. [AP/YONHAP]

Ryu Hyun-jin's struggles continue in the early stages of the 2022 MLB season, with the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher giving up five runs on six hits in his second start of the year against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.

Ryu was pulled after four innings against the Athletics at Rogers Centre in Toronto, with five earned runs including a home run and just a single strikeout on his scorecard. The second rough outing of the season leaves his ERA at 13.50, with the left-hander only avoiding a loss because his teammates managed to briefly tie the score in the fifth inning before ultimately losing 7-5.

Ryu didn't start the game out badly, getting a flyout and a groundout followed by his sole strikeout of the game to send the A's down in order in the first. The Blue Jays added a run at the bottom of the inning to give Ryu an early lead.

That form did not continue in the second. Ryu gave up three doubles and a single to give the Athletics three runs before a mound visit seemed to calm him down and a flyout, fielders choice and groundout stopped the bleeding.

The third was more of the same, with Ryu getting a flyout but then allowing a single followed by a two-run homer to take the Athletics up to 5-1. Ryu got out of the inning and looked comfortable retiring the side in order in the fourth, before being pulled out the game for Trent Thornton at the top of the fifth.

The Blue Jays rallied with a run in the fourth and three in the sixth to tie the score, but the A's added two more in the ninth to take the win.

Saturday's outing was Ryu's second of the season. He gave up six runs in three and one third innings against the Texas Rangers a week earlier and now has a 13.50 ERA having given up 11 runs including two homers off 11 hits in seven and one third innings pitched.

The poor start to the 2022 season follows on the heels of a disappointing end to 2021 that saw Ryu give up 17 runs on 28 hits in 19 and two third innings pitched over the last five games of the season.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said after the game that Ryu was struggling with soreness in his forearm following the game. The team was scheduled to determine Sunday whether more extensive treatment would be required.

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