Dodgers’ hopes turn to Ryu

Associated Press

BOSTON

Hyun-Jin Ryu is used to pitching in big moments and on big stages.

Four years before being signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012, the South Korean left-hander was on the mound for his home country when it defeated Cuba in the gold medal game of the 2008 Summer Olympics in China.

He added to that history in 2013, becoming the first South Korean-born pitcher in major league history to start a playoff game when he had the ball for Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.

Ryu could pass even more milestones during the Dodgers’ World Series matchup with the Boston Red Sox. He’s trying to become just the second South Korean-born player to win a World Series ring, joining Byung-Hyun Kim.

He’ll be on the hill as Los Angeles’ starter for Game 2 tonight opposite Boston’s David Price. It will be Ryu’s next opportunity to get past his recent issues pitching on the road.

Ryu had a 1.15 ERA in nine starts at home during the regular season, but it increased to 3.58 on the road. He’s also had some issues away from Dodger Stadium during this postseason.

He pitched seven shutout innings in Los Angeles against the Braves in Game 1 of the NLDS. He had mixed results in his two NL Championship Series starts in Milwaukee. He pitched fine in Game 2 but got hit hard in Game 6, yielding seven hits and five earned runs in the Dodgers’ 7-2 loss.

“Obviously, it’s a stadium that I’ve pitched in the most, therefore I feel pretty comfortable pitching in Dodger Stadium. And having that run of success definitely builds more confidence,” Ryu said Tuesday through an interpreter. “I guess that’s the reason why.”

Ryu said having better command of his pitches than he did against the Brewers will be a key to success against a stacked Red Sox lineup that features Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez, who became the first MLB teammates to finish first and second in batting average and slugging percentage since 1904.