Baseball: South Korea gets morale-boost in final WBC warm-up win

South Korea, aiming for its first World Baseball Classic championship, got a morale-boosting 7-4 win over Japan's Hanshin Tigers in its final warm-up game before it opens Pool B play on Thursday against Australia.

Manager Lee Kang Chul's team came from 2-1 down in a three-run fifth inning and Kim Hye Seong triggered a three-run eighth with a solo home run to put the game out of reach at Kyocera Dome Osaka.

"With this win in our final warm-up game, we are ready to go to Tokyo and start the tournament on the right foot," Lee said. "We have completed our preparations and are ready."

A day after his shortstops combined to fumble three grounders, Lee said his fielders have made some adjustments to the higher hops off the dome's turf, and was unconcerned about the field at Tokyo Dome.

"Our players have a lot of experience there, so I don't foresee any problems," Lee said.

In a pool that also includes Japan, China and the Czech Republic, Lee was quizzed about Friday's crucial clash against Japan.

"Right now, our exclusive focus is on Thursday's game with Australia," he said.

© Kyodo News