Korean pro baseball season opens with a bang

Samsung Lions slugger Lee Seung-Yup opened the 2001 Korean pro baseball season with a two-run homer Thursday. Lee blasted the round-tripper off Song Jin-Woo of Hanwha Eagles in his first at bat of the season in the bottom of the first inning. The blast gave Samsung a 2-1 lead on its way to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Hanwha at Taegu Ballpark.

In Suwon, Lotte Giants trounced defending champs Hyundai Unicorns 5-1 on the strength ofbrilliant pitching by its foreign ace Giron.

At Seoul Chamshil Ballpark, Doosan`s Tyrone Woods lifted the Bears to a dramatic 6-5 win over Haitai Tigers.

In Inchon, underdog SK Wyverns humiliated LG Twins 11-5 for the season`s first win.

Zang Hwan-Soo zangpabo@donga.com