Jonathan Peraza’s Stellar Performance: How He Ended Hanwha Eagles’ 6-Game Losing Streak

Translation result ▲ Yonathan Peraza ⓒ Hanwha Eagles

[SPOTV News — Sajik, Park Seung-hwan] “I’m so happy we finally snapped the losing streak,” Yonathan Peraza said after Hanwha ended its skid.

Peraza started in right field and hit second in the lineup for the Hanwha Eagles on April 18 at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, the first meeting of the season series against the Lotte Giants in the 2026 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League. He finished 3-for-4 with an RBI, two runs and a walk.

He had made a costly defensive error on April 16 against the Samsung Lions that contributed to a six-game losing stretch. Before Wednesday’s game, manager Kim Kyung-moon publicly backed him, saying, “He made an error that day, but he’s been playing well.”

Peraza answered that vote of confidence at the plate. In the top of the 1st inning, with one out and no runners on, he singled to center against Lotte starter Jeremy Beasley to get Hanwha off to a positive start. In the 3rd, with one out and a runner at third, he lined an RBI double to right to put Hanwha ahead.

He moved to third on a Beasley wild pitch and then hustled home on Moon Hyun-bin’s grounder to second. Peraza collided with Lotte catcher Son Seong-bin on the play and complained of severe pain in his left arm, but he remained in the game.

In the 7th inning, with no outs and a runner on first, he delivered his second hit of the day off reliever Masaya Kyoyama and later scored on Moon’s RBI single. In his final plate appearance in the 8th, he drew a walk to keep the rally alive. He wrapped the night at 3-for-4 with one RBI, two runs and a walk.

▲ Yonathan Peraza ⓒ Hanwha Eagles ▲ Yonathan Peraza ⓒ Hanwha Eagles

After the game Peraza smiled and said he was simply glad to have helped the team end the slide. “Baseball has its ups and downs,” he said. “I didn’t dwell on it. I tried to help the team and do my job. That steady approach seems to be what’s keeping my performance consistent.”

While Peraza was virtually flawless with the bat and on the bases, he did have a defensive lapse in the 2nd inning when he failed to corral a ball that could have been an out and instead became a double. It wasn’t ruled an error, but it was a disappointing play defensively, and Peraza knows it.

“Since spring camp, I’ve been working not only on hitting but also on steady defense and aggressive baserunning to help the team win,” he said. “I’m not completely satisfied yet, so I’ll keep working and stay focused.”

He concluded by promising to keep improving while enjoying the game. “I want fans to remember the more mature Peraza who still enjoys baseball and helps the team. I’ll give my best every game.”

▲ Yonathan Peraza ⓒ Hanwha Eagles