Abbott is pitching for the USA. Japan's ace is pitching.
It is scoreless after three.
Top of fourth--The USA's first batter (Lowe) got caught trying to stretch a single into a double. Japan has hit three long fly-outs in the last two innings (third and fourth)--each within 5 to 10 feet of the left center wall and right field wall.
The USA got a runner to second in top of fifth, but Japan struck out the next batter for the third out.
In the bottom of the fifth, Abbott got first batter to ground out to second, then second batter grounded out to Abbott, and Abbott struck out the third batter.
The USA's first batter hit a ground ball single straight up the gut to center to lead off the top of the sixth. Natasha then lined out. Lowe got to first by some sort of balk or hbp--I couldn't see and there are no announcers in this streaming video. However, a double play ends the inning while I was typing the above.
Monica struck out the side in the bottom of the sixth. You have to be impressed; she has now thrown eleven shut out innings against the number 2 team in the world.
Nothing for the USA in the top of seventh. While I am complimenting pitchers, I should give big props to Japan's ace. She has many of our batters befuddled.
Abbott walks batter with 2 out in bottom of seventh. The next batter gets a base hit up the middle--runners on first and second. Abbott strikes out next batter to end the inning.
By the new rule governing extra innings, a USA runner is put on second in the top of eighth (the first extra inning). After a grounder, the runner moves to third and the batter is safe at first so there are runners at first and third with nobody out. Strike out -- one away. Strike out--two down. Ground out to pitcher by Natasha ends the inning. Hell of a game.
The leadoff batter for Japan is put on second (by rule) in the bottom of the eighth, but Monica got the next two batters to pop out near home plate and struck out the third. Whew!
Finally, after one run had scored on a single, Bustos hit a towering three run home run to left in the top of the ninth. USA leads 4-0.
Japan scores to begin the bottom of the ninth. Monica has allowed three hits, one run, and has eleven strike outs and one walk so far.
Cat is in in relief. nobody out. runner on first. two ground outs and a strike out earn Cat the save.
It is scoreless after three.
Top of fourth--The USA's first batter (Lowe) got caught trying to stretch a single into a double. Japan has hit three long fly-outs in the last two innings (third and fourth)--each within 5 to 10 feet of the left center wall and right field wall.
The USA got a runner to second in top of fifth, but Japan struck out the next batter for the third out.
In the bottom of the fifth, Abbott got first batter to ground out to second, then second batter grounded out to Abbott, and Abbott struck out the third batter.
The USA's first batter hit a ground ball single straight up the gut to center to lead off the top of the sixth. Natasha then lined out. Lowe got to first by some sort of balk or hbp--I couldn't see and there are no announcers in this streaming video. However, a double play ends the inning while I was typing the above.
Monica struck out the side in the bottom of the sixth. You have to be impressed; she has now thrown eleven shut out innings against the number 2 team in the world.
Nothing for the USA in the top of seventh. While I am complimenting pitchers, I should give big props to Japan's ace. She has many of our batters befuddled.
Abbott walks batter with 2 out in bottom of seventh. The next batter gets a base hit up the middle--runners on first and second. Abbott strikes out next batter to end the inning.
By the new rule governing extra innings, a USA runner is put on second in the top of eighth (the first extra inning). After a grounder, the runner moves to third and the batter is safe at first so there are runners at first and third with nobody out. Strike out -- one away. Strike out--two down. Ground out to pitcher by Natasha ends the inning. Hell of a game.
The leadoff batter for Japan is put on second (by rule) in the bottom of the eighth, but Monica got the next two batters to pop out near home plate and struck out the third. Whew!
Finally, after one run had scored on a single, Bustos hit a towering three run home run to left in the top of the ninth. USA leads 4-0.
Japan scores to begin the bottom of the ninth. Monica has allowed three hits, one run, and has eleven strike outs and one walk so far.
Cat is in in relief. nobody out. runner on first. two ground outs and a strike out earn Cat the save.
