CHANGWON-SI, South Korea (Interstat) — Ryu Ji-hyuk hit a grand slam and drove in six runs, and Connor O’Loughlin pitched six dominant innings as the Samsung Lions routed the NC Dinos 11-1 on Sunday afternoon at Masan Baseball Stadium.

The Lions improved to 21-14-1 with their third straight victory over NC this weekend, while the Dinos fell to 15-20. Samsung outhit NC 13-5 and scored in five different innings, including a four-run fifth that broke the game open.

O’Loughlin, the game’s top star, allowed two hits and no earned runs while striking out six over six innings. He walked one and threw 72 pitches, 49 for strikes. The right-hander lowered his season ERA to 2.70 after his second consecutive strong outing. He earned a win against Kiwoom on May 5 after allowing one earned run in six innings, and took a loss at Doosan on April 29 after allowing three earned runs in six innings.

Samsung scored first in the top of the first inning. Choi Hyoung-woo singled to center field and Lewin Diaz singled down the right field line, advancing Choi to third. But Park Seung-kyu struck out and the Lions plated no runs.

NC threatened in the bottom of the first. Kim Ju-won singled to left field and later advanced to second on a passed ball. Kwon Hui-dong walked and the Dinos executed a double steal, moving Kim Ju-won to third and Kwon to second. But Park Kun-woo fouled out to first base and Lee Woo-sung grounded out to the pitcher, ending the inning.

The Lions broke through in the top of the second. Jeon Byeong-woo walked and Kim Do-hwan doubled to right-center, putting runners at second and third. After Park Gye-beom struck out, Kim Hun-gon singled to left field, scoring Jeon Byeong-woo and Kim Do-hwan to make it 2-0. Kim Hun-gon then stole second and scored on a home run by Koo Ja-wook to right field, increasing the lead to 4-0.

Samsung added to its lead in the top of the fifth. Koo Ja-wook singled to right field and advanced to second on a groundout by Choi Hyoung-woo. Diaz singled to center field, scoring Koo Ja-wook. Park Seung-kyu singled to center-right, moving Diaz to third. Jeon Byeong-woo walked to load the bases. Ryu Ji-hyuk then hit a grand slam to right field, scoring Jeon Byeong-woo, Park Seung-kyu and Diaz, extending the lead to 8-0.

NC scored its only run in the bottom of the seventh. Seo Ho-cheol singled down the right field line and An Joong-yeol popped out to first. Do Tae-hun walked and Kim Han-byeol walked, loading the bases. Kim Ju-won hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Seo Ho-cheol to make it 8-1. Han Suk-hyun struck out to end the inning.

Samsung answered in the top of the ninth. Diaz walked and Park Seung-kyu walked. Yang Woo-hyun walked, loading the bases. Ryu Ji-hyuk singled to right field, scoring two runs and increasing the lead to 10-1. Jang Seung-hyun struck out, Park Gye-beom struck out and Kim Hun-gon flied out to center field.

Samsung’s bullpen held NC scoreless over the final three innings. Yang Chang-seop pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and no earned runs while striking out two. Jeong Jae-hoon pitched one inning, allowing one hit and no earned runs. Lee Seung-hyun pitched one-third of an inning, allowing one hit and one earned run.

NC’s pitchers struggled early. Starter Lim Jung-ho pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing no hits and no earned runs. Son Ju-hwan pitched one inning, allowing no hits and no earned runs while striking out two. Kim Tae-gyeong pitched one inning, allowing no hits and no earned runs while striking out one.

Diaz finished 2-for-4 with one RBI. Koo Ja-wook went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a home run. Ryu Ji-hyuk went 2-for-5 with a home run and six RBI.

The Lions have now won three straight games over the Dinos this weekend, winning 5-4 on Saturday and 4-3 on Friday. Samsung has won seven of its last 10 games overall. NC has lost four of its last five games.

Samsung’s previous results include a 6-0 win over Kiwoom on May 7 and a 2-1 win over Kiwoom on May 6. NC’s previous results include a 10-5 win over Shinsegae Landers on May 7 and a 6-7 loss to Shinsegae Landers on May 6.

The Lions continue their road trip Tuesday at LG Twins. The Dinos travel to Lotte Giants on Tuesday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Samsung Lions 5, NC Dinos 3. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Samsung with a 53.00 percent probability to win. NC had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of plus-1.5. The total score of 12 went under the over-under line of 9.0.