Hyun-Jin Ryu, a pitcher known far more for his work on the mound than at the plate, surprised everyone with his first career home run. The at-bat started predictably: fastball right down the middle, strike one. Another fastball, strike two. He stepped out, looked frustrated, and reset. With an 0-2 count and probably expecting more of the same, Ryu took a huge swing and connected. The ball carried over the wall to tie the game 1-1. The bat flip was modest, the celebration in the dugout was not.
The Dodgers’ bench lit up. Cody Bellinger nailed a smooth double high-five. Justin Turner couldn’t stop smiling. Even the fans looked unsure whether to cheer or just take in the moment. The announcers loved it too, noting how rare it is to see a pitcher go deep, especially in the National League. Ryu had some hits on his record—eight doubles and a triple—but never a homer until now.
Despite the blast, Ryu stayed focused. He looked more concerned about pitching the next inning and getting some run support than celebrating himself. He called for more water, ready to settle back into his main job. Still, that swing on an 0-2 fastball made for a rare and fun highlight.