Two years ago, Patrick Wisdom (34) was struck out three times in a row by Ryu Hyun-jin (38) in Major League Baseball. This time, he came to South Korea and took revenge with a home run. It was a blow that prevented Ryu from securing his first win of the season and saved KIA, which had fallen into a four-game losing streak.

In the KIA Tigers game, Wisdom was selected as the second batter and first baseman for the away game against the Hanwha Eagles in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park on the 30th. He played well with two hits, including a game-tying solo home run in the sixth inning, in four at-bats with two runs batted in. Thanks to Wisdom's performance, KIA also made a comeback to win 5-3, breaking their recent four-game losing streak.

In a situation where KIA was trailing 1-2, Wisdom, who came up as the lead-off batter in the sixth inning, avoided Ryu's first pitch, a low inside ball, and then connected well with a 131 km/h cutter that came in low on the second pitch. The ball flew like a bullet and hit the outfield barrier, landing near the grass seats. Wisdom's fourth home run of the season was measured at 125 meters.

After hitting a home run in the series opener on the 28th and 29th against Hanwha, he has now hit home runs in three consecutive games in Daejeon's new stadium opening series. After hitting his first home run in the KBO League against Kiwoom in Gwangju on the 25th, Wisdom has showcased tremendous power with four home runs in the first eight games.

Since the home run was hit against Ryu Hyun-jin, it had personal significance for Wisdom. He has recorded 88 home runs over seven seasons in Major League Baseball and has faced Ryu Hyun-jin, a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, when he was with the Chicago Cubs. In a game in Toronto on Aug. 14, 2023, he faced Ryu twice but was struck out in both the second and fourth innings consecutively. He went down swinging with Ryu's signature changeup.

Two years have passed since then, and the two players, who shifted their stage to South Korea, faced off again. Ryu, who concluded his Major League career after 2023 with Toronto, returned to his 'home team' Hanwha, and Wisdom, whose big league career was suspended last year, came to KIA this year.

In the first two at-bats of the day, Ryu emerged victorious. In the first inning, Wisdom hit Ryu's fifth pitch, a changeup, but it resulted in a fly ball heading straight to the left fielder. In the third inning, he struck out swinging in his second at-bat. He flailed at Ryu's signature outside low changeups, unable to make contact.

However, he was not struck out three times, and with a solo homer, he prevented Ryu's quest for his first win. Ryu had a quality start, pitching six innings, allowing six hits (one home run), one walk, four strikeouts, and two runs. However, he had to leave without a win due to insufficient run support as the team scored only two runs through six innings. Despite achieving quality starts in two consecutive games following a match against LG at Jamsil on the 25th, he has yet to secure his first win of the season. It was even more disappointing that had he not given up the home run to Wisdom, he could have met the requirements for a victory.

Even after Ryu left the game, Wisdom's hot bat did not stop. In the seventh inning, with two outs and a runner on third, he connected with Hanwha's left-handed pitcher Jo Dong-wook's fourth changeup, driving in a run with a timely hit to left.

After the game, Wisdom said, "I am happy that I was able to help the team break the losing streak, rather than just the fact that I hit home runs in three consecutive games. All the players fulfilled their roles, and it seems like the players’ conditions have returned, so I am looking forward to the next game." He added, "I hope today’s victory can serve as an opportunity to change the momentum, and I will prepare well for the home game next week." Wisdom also noted, "I'm glad to be playing with skilled players, and I want to do my best in my role for better team results."

Up until today, Wisdom has marked a batting average of .292 (7 hits in 24 at-bats), four home runs, eight runs batted in, nine walks, and six strikeouts in the first eight games of the season. Although it takes time for a power hitter to adjust to a new league, he has quickly acclimated to the KBO League with his keen eye for drawing the most walks in the league. Even in the early part of the season, after eight games, he is already ranked top with home runs and walks, second in slugging percentage, and third in OPS, indicating his emergence as an impact player fitting his career.

[OSEN]