It's not over yet...First defeat in 28G, ace didn't forget final goal

Sep 21, 2025

It's not over yet...First defeat in 28G, ace didn't forget final goal
The game between KT and Hanwha at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 20th. Hanwha starter Ponce coming down the mound after pitching in the fifth inning. Suwon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.09.20/



A stopped march of records. 'Ace' burned the war even more.

Cody Ponce (31, Hanwha Eagles) started the game against KT Wiz at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 20th and recorded five hits (one home run), four walks, six strikeouts and four runs in five innings. He came down from the mound in the bottom of the sixth inning when he was losing 2-4, and became a losing pitcher as the game ended 2-4.

Ponce, who had 17 wins and no losses in 27 games, suffered his first loss of the season.




The moment the KBO League record march stopped. Ponce's 17 consecutive wins in the opening period are the most consecutive wins in KBO league history, exceeding the opening 14 consecutive wins held by Hyundai Jung Min-tae in 2003 and KIA Hector Noesi in 2017.

It's not over yet...First defeat in 28G, ace didn't forget final goal
The game between KT and Hanwha at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 20th. Hanwha Ponce, who is pitching as a starter. Suwon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.09.20/
He was also able to aim for the first time in history 'Unbeatable, Multiple wins', but he was held back by KT's batters.

Before the game, Ponce pitched in five games against KT, recording four wins, no losses, and an ERA of 0.93. In KT's batting lineup, Ponce was 'the object of fear'.




However, he got off to a shaky start, hitting a home run from the start. After being hit by leadoff hitter Huh Kyung-min in the bottom of the first inning, he allowed Andrew Stevenson to walk. The slider thrown to Ahn Hyun-min then led to a home run, allowing three runs in an instant.

He followed two runs in the lineup in the top of the third inning, but he scored an additional run in the bottom of the fifth inning with Stephenson's double and Ahn Hyun-min's timely hit. In the end, he got his first loss in the KBO League.

The moment when the record for the most consecutive wins was cut off. It could have been a big disappointment, but rather, he made up his mind once again.




Ponce posted a video of him taking off his hat and greeting him on his SNS account after the game, saying, `I could never have done this without everyone. It was an amazing run. I appreciate everyone's support. It's not over yet. I'll fight to the end,' he said.

It's not over yet...First defeat in 28G, ace didn't forget final goal
The game between KT and Hanwha at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 20th. Hanwha starter Ponce coming down the mound after pitching in the fifth inning. Suwon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.09.20/
Although the winning streak ended with its first loss of the season, Hanwha still has a battle to lead. Hanwha (80 wins, 3 draws and 54 losses), which succeeded in securing the second place, is three games behind the leading LG Twins (83 wins, 3 draws and 51 losses). Since there are three consecutive matches against each other, they may try to overturn the ranking at the last minute. Ponce is also likely to take the mound against LG.

There is bitterness in the first defeat, but it is too early to let go of the tension. Is Ponce 17 times against Kiwoom in Daejeon on the 13th? After winning "The remaining goal is to win the Korean Series. I think it can be achieved if we enjoy the game like we have until the end and don't lose our faith because we have great teammates. I will do my best to win our team, too" he said. As the season is not over yet, he has once again strengthened his will to help 'Winning Journey'.

Hanwha, which stopped its four-game winning streak, will play against SSG Landers at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 24th after a three-day break.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.