The Samsung Lions' lineup exploded right from the regular season opener. On the 22nd, Samsung won decisively against the Kiwoom Heroes at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, 13-5.

Samsung's starting pitcher Ariel Hurado claimed his first victory of the season against his former teammate. 'Captain' Koo Ja-wook showcased a one-man show with three hits, including a home run, and four RBIs. Kang Min-ho set a new personal record for the most hits in an opening game. Meanwhile, Kiwoom suffered a bitter defeat but should find solace in rookie infielder Yeo Dong-wook's debut home run.

Samsung, led by foreign pitcher Ariel Hurado as the starting pitcher, organized its lineup with center fielder Kim Ji-chan, shortstop Lee Jae-hyun, left fielder Koo Ja-wook, catcher Kang Min-ho, first baseman Lewin Diaz, designated hitter Park Byung-ho, second baseman Jeon Byeong-woo, third baseman Kim Young-woong, and right fielder Kim Heon-gon.

Kiwoom arranged its batting order with second baseman Song Sung-moon, designated hitter Yasiel Puig, center fielder Lee Joo-hyung, right fielder Ruben Cardenas, first baseman Choi Joo-hwan, shortstop Kim Tae-jin, third baseman Yeo Dong-wook, left fielder Park Joo-hong, and catcher Kim Jae-hyun. The starting pitcher was left-handed Kenny Rosenberg.

The first score belonged to Kiwoom. After one out in the first inning, Kiwoom capitalized on a hit by pitch and a single to create a one-out, one-on-second and third base opportunity. Ruben Cardenas hit a left-field single to score the first run. In the bottom of the first inning, Samsung matched the score at 1-1 with Lee Jae-hyun's double and Koo Ja-wook's walk, leading to Diaz's left-field RBI single.

Then, Kiwoom's Yeo Dong-wook hit a solo home run to left field off Samsung's starter Hurado in the second inning. On the third pitch at a 1B-1S count, he targeted a fastball (146 km/h) and launched it over the left-field wall. The distance was 120 meters. With this, Yeo Dong-wook celebrated his first professional home run in his debut at-bat.

Samsung took control of the game with a big inning in the bottom of the second. After one out, Kim Heon-gon hit a solo home run to tie the game at 2-2 against Kenny Rosenberg. Samsung added another run with Kim Ji-chan's left-field single, Lee Jae-hyun's hit by pitch, and Koo Ja-wook's right-field single, followed by Kang Min-ho's two-run double to extend their lead to 5-2.

In the fourth inning, Samsung added another run with Koo Ja-wook's left-field single in the opportunity with no outs and runners on first and second. Jeon Jun-pyo took the mound in place of Kiwoom's starting pitcher Rosenberg. Samsung's batting lineup became even hotter. Although Kang Min-ho struck out, Diaz's single loaded the bases, and Park Byung-ho, Ryu Ji-hyuk, and Kim Young-woong followed with consecutive RBIs. The score was 10-2.

In the fifth inning, Koo Ja-wook exploded with a two-run homer, and with Kang Min-ho's double and Diaz's sacrifice fly, Samsung recorded its 13th score. Despite this, Kiwoom initiated a rally in the seventh with Puig's two-run homer. In the eighth, Kim Dong-heon added another run with an RBI single, but they couldn't close the gap further.

Samsung's starter Hurado pitched well, throwing six innings with eight hits allowed (one home run), one walk, five strikeouts, and two earned runs. Lee Ho-seong and Song Eun-beom took charge in the remaining innings.

Koo Ja-wook led the offense with three hits, four RBIs, and three runs scored, while Kim Ji-chan (three hits in five at-bats, two runs scored), Lee Jae-hyun (one hit in two at-bats, four runs scored), Kang Min-ho (two hits in five at-bats, two RBIs, one run scored), Diaz (three hits in four at-bats, two RBIs, one run scored), and Park Byung-ho (two hits in four at-bats, two RBIs, one run scored) also delivered balanced performances.

Kiwoom's starter Rosenberg struggled, allowing eight hits (one home run), four walks, and four strikeouts in three innings while giving up eight earned runs. It marked his first loss of the season.

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