Ryu, who started an away game against the SSG Landers in Incheon on Tuesday, struck out 10 batters to become the oldest pitcher in Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) history to reach 1,500 strikeouts at 39 years and 13 days, as well as the fastest to reach the milestone by games played with 246 outings.
It was also his first double-digit strikeout game in about 14 years since October 2012.
After the game ended with the Eagles' 6–2 victory, the left-hander, who pitched through the sixth inning, said he was aware he was approaching the milestone. "I thought I might be able to get at least one strikeout. I got it in the first inning, so I was able to pitch comfortably."
Earlier Ryu amassed 934 strikeouts over 10 seasons in the U.S. Major League Baseball.
Since making his professional baseball debut in 2006 in South Korea, Ryu has posted at least 100 strikeouts in nine consecutive seasons and is aiming to extend the streak this year.
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