Hanwha Eagles Secures Sole First Place with 9-Game Winning Streak After 20 Years

The "Eagle Corps," Hanwha Eagles, achieved a nine-game winning streak for the first time in 20 years, rising to the sole first place in the professional baseball league.

On the 7th, Hanwha won 10-6 against the Samsung Lions in a home game at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park during the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League.

With this victory, Hanwha surpassed the LG Twins, who were tied for first place until the previous day after losing to the Doosan Bears.

This marks the first time Hanwha has achieved a nine-game winning streak since June 2005. It is also the first time they have reached sole first place after more than 30 regular season games since June 2, 2007.

Hanwha's Resilience in Comeback Victory

In the early stages of the game, Hanwha fell behind 0-2 due to starter Moon Dong-ju's erratic pitching. However, they managed to score one run in the bottom of the second with a timely hit from Choi Jae-hun, and in the bottom of the third, Moon Hyun-bin tied the game with a solo home run.

In the bottom of the fourth, Hanwha took the lead thanks to an error by Samsung's third baseman Yang Do-geun during Sim Woo-jun's sacrifice bunt after creating a no-out first and second base situation with hits from Hwang Young-mook and Choi Jae-hun.

In the continued offense, Moon Hyun-bin's infield hit widened the score to 4-2.

Moon Dong-ju's stable pitching and the bullpen's stellar defense were key to the victory. Although Moon showed inconsistency early on, he found stability and went six innings, allowing six hits, three walks, one hit batter, and striking out eight, while giving up two runs for his fourth win of the season (1 loss).

The bullpen, including Jo Dong-wook, Kim Jong-soo, and Kim Beom-soo, contributed by stopping a no-out first and second base threat without allowing any runs.

Decisive Scoring in the Seventh Inning

Hanwha secured their victory during the offensive in the seventh inning. With a walk by Noh Si-hwan, a hit to right-center by Chae Eun-seong, and a walk by Hwang Young-mook, they created a two-out, bases loaded opportunity where Choi Jae-hun and Sim Woo-jun delivered consecutive timely hits.

Then, Lee Won-seok erupted with a two-run home run to left, adding a whopping six runs in this inning alone. Moon Hyun-bin played a crucial role in the team's victory, contributing three hits, two RBIs, and one run in five at-bats, including the game-tying home run in the third inning.

On the other hand, Lewin Diaz of Samsung, who leads the league in home runs, hit his 13th home run of the season in the top of the ninth, but it was overshadowed by the team’s defeat.

Hanwha continued their momentum with a victory amidst the enthusiastic support of a packed crowd at Daejeon Stadium.

With their nine-game winning streak after 20 years, Hanwha now aims for a tenth consecutive win.

Image Sources: Moon Dong-ju / News1, Moon Hyun-bin / News1, Celebrating Hanwha Fans / News1