By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
DAEGU, South Korea — Former Philadelphia Phillies 1B/OF Darin Ruf homered in his Korean Baseball Organization debut with the Samsung Lions Friday evening at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.
Ruf's ninth inning home run against RHP Im Ki-young proved to not be enough for the Lions, however, as they would go on to fall 7-2 to the Kia Tigers in their season opener.
The Omaha, Nebraska native started the game as the designated hitter, batting in the cleanup position. He finished 1-4 with a strikeout.
Welcome to the KBO @Druf15! pic.twitter.com/P8mox2NAe5
— Dan Kurtz (@MyKBO) March 31, 2017
Ruf, 30, was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers this past offseason in the Phillies' acquisition of 2B/OF Howie Kendrick. To make room on the 40-man roster for second baseman Chase Utley, the Dodgers sold Ruf's contract to the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization in mid-February. Ruf will make $1.1 million this season in South Korea.
In five seasons, 286 games and 737 at-bats with the Phillies from 2012-2016, Ruf hit .240/.314/.433 with 36 home runs and 96 RBIs.
