US softballers blank Japan 7-0

BEIJING (AP) The U.S. softball team extended its Olympic winning streak to 17 straight by beating Japan 7-0 in five innings, the first of two games for the Americans on Friday.

Jessica Mendoza hit a pair of two-run homers, Natasha Watley homered leading off the game and Crystl Bustos banged another one over the wall in China as the U.S. team posted its third shutout in as many games in China.

The U.S. team didn't have time to celebrate, however. A half-hour after improving to 21-4 against Japan in major international play, the power-packed Americans, who set an Olympic record with four homers, resumed their suspended game against Canada.

On Thursday, Canada scored the first run off the U.S. in this tournament - and just the second run in 12 Olympic games against the Americans - to lead 1-0 before play was halted in the fourth inning by rain.

About the only flaw in an otherwise dominant performance against Japan was that Monica Abbott allowed a single to Ayumi Karino in the first - the only hit allowed by the Americans in 20 innings so far.

That was all the Japanese would get against Abbott, though. The left-hander retired 15 in a row after Karino's single before the game was stopped by the international-run or mercy rule.

On Thursday, Canada became the first team to lead the U.S. team since the 2000 Sydney Games when it scored an unearned run without a hit. The Canadians built their slim advantage courtesy of some softball strangeness.

Abbott was called for three illegal pitches in the first and center fielder Caitlin Lowe dropped a fly ball, her first error in more than 360 games dating to her four years as an All-American at Arizona.

In the day's opener, the Canadians defeated China 1-0, their first win in Olympic play over the host nation and one that all but assures Canada (3-0) a spot in next week's medal round.

Lauren Bay Regula pitched out of a none-out, bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning when Canada survived a debatable interference call against shortstop Jennifer Salling on a rundown that put the Chinese in scoring position.

In the evening session, Australia (1-2) plays Taiwan (1-2) and Venezuela (0-3) faces the Netherlands (0-3).

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