By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Park Chan-ho ― in the running for the fifth spot in the rotation with lefty JA Happ ― allowed three runs on four hits and made seven strikeouts during four innings against the Toronto Blue Jays in an exhibition game, Tuesday.
As the South Korean Major Leaguer had shown prowess during the 11 2/3 innings in his three previous matches by allowing only two runs, his last game's performance is being regarded as a slight disappointment.
And his performance may not have been quite so bad if he hadn't tweaked his left hamstring, Sunday.
``At first I tried to be a little bit careful, or something like that, but after the first or second inning it felt normal and I loosened up," Park told the Phillies Web site. "I didn't worry about it. It felt good.''
With the 35-year-old Korean commanding high marks from his manager, he could pitch wherever he wants.
The veteran recorded 41 strikes in 55 pitches and his ERA moved from 1.54 to 2.87.
Park finished the first inning with two strikeouts and a ground ball. But in the second he allowed a double and walk to Veron Wells and Scott Rolen. After the runners pulled off a double steal, Blue Jays first baseman Kevin Millar hit a two-run double.
Park might have stumbled, but he sent the next three batters back to the dugout with two strikeouts and a fly-out.
Park gave another double to the leadoff of the third. After the runner reached the third base after a sacrifice bunt, Park collected another strikeout, and then Wells' hit got caught in the wind and got away from Chase Utley.
``The decision we make will come down to the wire I think," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We're all just gathering information and hopefully we'll make the right decisions on how we'll proceed. There are still some questions to take care of, with our bench, with our bullpen, with our rotation, so it's a puzzle we have to put together. Hopefully we'll get it right.''
According to the Phillies Web site, Park can remain leaning in the Phillies bullpen, either as a starter or as a reliever. However, Happ's situation is different. Unless Happ proves himself to make the rotation, he may start with minor league baseball team Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
It could also be a problem that the Phillies has only one left-hander in the bullpen, Scott Eyre, until JC Romero returns from a 50-game suspension in the wake of a positive drug test for an over-the-counter supplement.
``It's not about having two left-handers in the bullpen necessarily,'' Amaro said. "It's about having the right people in the right spots and making sure we put the right group together.
``If Park is in the rotation at the outset, that doesn't necessarily mean he's in it at the end of the year. If Happ is in the rotation in the beginning, it doesn't necessarily mean he's going to be in it in the end. It continues to be a fluid situation. Our fifth starter, at least lately, has not proved himself to be a bona fide guy you can throw out there 35 times. Neither of those guys has that label, so we can't count on that. We have to keep an open mind on how to approach it.''
Park has lent his strong support to the Korean national team during the World Baseball Classic (WBC), even though he opted out to concentrate on his club game.
Though he wanted to join the national team, his situation ― competing for the last spot in the rotation ― prevented him from devoting the necessary time and energy to the Korean cause.
Park apologized to his fellow countrymen on the team as well as manager Kim In-sik. And along with the nation as a whole, they appear to have understood his reasons.
So far, he has shown wonderful performances in the exhibition games in his bid to secure the last spot.
Many Korean fans are waiting to see his next footprints.