Ryu Hyun-jin dominates Angels in 13th win

Ryu Hyun-jin of the Los Angeles Dodgers has won his 13th game of this season, the ninth in away games. In an away match against the cross-town Angels, Ryu led his team`s 7-0 victory, allowing just two hits. In his fourth consecutive win, Ryu shut out the Angels for seven innings, giving up two hits, walking one and striking out four. His earned run average (ERA) decreased to 3.21.

Ryu, who had his first shutout victory (3-0) against the Angels in May last year, became an "Angels killer," winning two games and shutting 16 consecutive innings. Angels hitters were helpless against Ryu`s control of his ball speed. LA Angels manager Mike Scioscia and catcher Chris Iannetta said Ryu had a great fastball-changeup combination going. Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton – the core of the Angels` offensive – were completely overwhelmed by Ryu, who struck out two and gave up just one hit in their nine at-bats. Only Pujols hit a double out of the South Korean pitcher. After the game, Ryu said that he paid more attention to his control than to speed because the three hitters were sluggers. "I had good speed on my fastballs and good control on my changeups, leading to many ground balls," he said.

The Dodgers fielders helped Ryu, too. Shortstop Miguel Rojas caught several balls that could have been base hits, easing burdens on Ryu`s shoulders. At the bottom of the sixth inning, with runners on the second and the third bases with two outs, centerfielder Yasiel Puig robbed Hamilton`s extra-base hit, despite hitting against the fence. Ryu said after the game that Puig could catch the ball because he was not afraid of the fence, thanking for the play.

Ryu caught two birds with the victory. He defeated the Angels, which has overwhelmed the Dodgers with 16 wins and nine losses. The pitcher also garnered nine away victories, together with the San Francisco Giants` Madison Bumgarner and the St. Louis Cardinals` Adam Wainwright. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that although Ryu could have thrown more balls, he pitched long innings with a small number of pitched balls, allowing other pitchers to take a break. Ryu will go on the mounds as a starter against the Atlanta Braves.