Eliezer Hernandez (31), who played for the KBO League's LG Twins, was roughed up and collapsed in Triple-A of the minor leagues.
Hernandez, who plays for the Gwinnett Stripers, the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A affiliate, started against the Charlotte Knights on the 30th (Korea time) at Truist Field in Charlotte, North Carolina, and recorded 5 innings, 9 hits (2 home runs), 1 walk, 3 strikeouts and 6 runs.
In the bottom of the first, Hernandez struck out leadoff hitter Nishida Rikuu, then got Oliver Dunn to swing and miss for a strikeout. Jacob Gonzalez flew out to left field to end the inning with a 1-2-3 frame.
Hernandez gave up a game-tying solo home run to leadoff hitter Ryan Galani in the second, when Gwinnett led 1-0. Michael Turner, Kaiden Conner and Drew Baker were all retired on balls in play.
In the third, when Gwinnett rallied to a 4-1 lead, Hernandez retired leadoff hitter Mario Camilletti on a fly ball to left. Jason Matthews was also handled with a fly ball to second. But Hernandez gave up a hit to Nishida and then allowed a two-run homer to Dunn that pulled them closer. He also allowed a hit to Gonzalez, but got Galani on a foul popup to the first baseman to finish the inning without further damage.
In the fourth, Hernandez induced a ground ball to second from leadoff hitter Turner. He allowed a hit to Conner but cut down a steal at second and retired Baker on a grounder to shortstop.
In the fifth, Hernandez gave up a double to leadoff hitter Camilletti and then walked Matthews. After allowing a hit to Nishida and facing a bases-loaded threat, Hernandez struck out Dunn swinging but then gave up a two-run double to Gonzalez. Nishida was thrown out at the plate, but Hernandez then allowed a run-scoring double to Galani that put them behind 4-6. Turner was retired on a line out to right. In the sixth, with Gwinnett rallying back to 9-6, he was relieved by Taylor Scott and finished his outing. Gwinnett lost the game 9-10.
Hernandez played for the LG Twins in the KBO League in 2024 and 2025. His career numbers were 25 games (113 innings), 7 wins, 6 losses, 1 hold, 1 save and a 4.14 ERA, not particularly strong. But he made a strong impression in the 2024 postseason, appearing in 6 games (11 innings) with 1 hold, 3 saves and a 0.00 ERA. He appeared in every game of the playoff against the KT Wiz in the wild-card series, won the series MVP and earned the nickname "Eldongwon".
Hernandez, who was replaced during the 2025 season, signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and returned to the United States, and this year signed a minor league deal with Atlanta and is playing there, but he has struggled with 6 games (29 innings), 2 losses and a 5.90 ERA.
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