By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
A shaky mound clouds South Korean national baseball team's outlook for the final qualifying round of the Beijing Olympics.
Before the rounds, featured from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3, manager Kim Kyung-moon's side, training now in Okinawa, Japan, is suffering with its pitchers, who stabilized after three listless performances in Korea, imploding again.
In their second exhibition match against the reserve team on Wednesday, they were tied at 10-10.
The team drew 4-4 on the previous day.
U.S. Major League hurler Park Chan-ho, who threw scoreless 8 1/3 innings in three games as a reliever, started for the first time for the national team but allowed four runs on five hits including two homers, giving a headache to coaching staff, who hope he will be a key player against Taiwan on Dec. 1.
Another starting candidate lefty Jun Byung-ho of the Samsung Lions gained few credit after giving up six runs and seven hits in four innings.
The bullpen was not that different.
Kia Tigers right-hander Han Ki-joo yielded three runs on four hits over two innings and closer Oh Seung-hwan of the Samsung Lions did not protect a lead, surrendering a game-tying run and two hits in one inning.
``Players are getting tired off playing against the same opponent and it has caused lack of concentration. In two upcoming matches, I will mix the national team with the reserve team,'' manager Kim said.
Along with the mound, poor fielding also unnerved the team.
In the two games, they made some bonehead plays such as bad throwing and dropping an infield fly.
Miscommunication between fielders is also a shortcoming of the national team.
Thankfully batters have been keeping hopes alive.
SK Wyverns shortstop Jeung Keun-woo went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and struggling Jang Sung-ho of the Kia Tigers had a two-run shot on his way to a three-hit, four-RBI and two-run performance.