The Samsung Lions have extended their contract with their injury replacement, Jack O’Loughlin, to the end of next month. The Lions made the announcement prior to their Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) regular-season game Wednesday. O’Loughlin, an Australian left-hander, had first signed a six-week deal worth US$50,000 on March 16 to fill in for American starter Matt Manning, who went down with an elbow injury during spring training in February. O’Loughlin’s new deal will give him an additional $30,000 through May 31. Since last year, KBO clubs have been allowed to acquire temporary replacements for injured foreign players who are expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks. The Lions pounced on O’Loughlin soon after the pitcher’s strong showing at the World Baseball Classic, where he allowed just one unearned run in 6 1/3 innings across two outings — including one against South Korea. In six starts in the KBO so far, O’Loughlin has a 0-2 record with a 4.50 ERA, along with 27 strikeouts and 12 walks in 28 innings. After some shaky early moments, O’Loughlin has settled down lately. On
