By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Yakult Swallows reliever Lim Chang-yong picked up his first save in Japan Saturday against the Yomiuri Giants.
In his second straight outing against the defending Central League champions at home in Tokyo, the 31-year-old sidearmer stepped onto the mound in the ninth inning with his team up 6-3 and protected the lead, despite allowing two hits, one of them to compatriot Lee Seung-yeop.
Lim retired Giants power hitters Lee, Michihiro Ogasawara and Alex Ramirez, who combined for 90 home runs last season, on opening night Friday.
Saturday's game was the first time the former closer of the Haitai Tigers, the predecessor of the Kia Tigers, and Samsung Lions has registered a save since Sept. 30, 2004.
He mustered a 104-66 record and 168 saves with a 3.25 ERA in his 13-year career in South Korea.
Lim, who signed a three-year contract with the Swallows in December, is likely to take the closing duty because right-hander Ryota Igarashi, who worked a scoreless ninth in a 6-2 win in the opener, will be sidelined due to a thigh injury.
Meanwhile, Lee, who was 0-for-4 on Friday and failed to extend his opening day homer streak to three, finally found a rhythm, producing two hits in the second game.
After grounding out and flying outs on his previous plate appearances, the 31-year-old cleanup hitter drove a pitch from Jun Hagiwara to right field in the top of the fifth inning and had another hit to left field off Lim in the Swallow's 6-3 win.
In Sunday' game, Lee hit an RBI double, but the Giants lost 10-2. He's batting .231.