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Armed and dangerous U.S. gets another strong pitching performance
BLACKTOWN, Australia (AP) -- The best thing about the U.S. Olympic baseball team? All of those high draft picks in the rotation. Though not yet ready for the major leagues, they're getting the United States ready for some medal-round games. Kurt Ainsworth settled down after a shaky first inning and shut down a lineup spiced with former major leaguers, leading the unbeaten United States to a 6-2 victory Tuesday against the Netherlands. "People are treating us as the underdogs," said Ainsworth, who added that this was the most important game he has pitched. "All the teams are good, but we are here to win gold." Ernie Young, a 31-year-old outfielder, doubled home a pair of runs and hit a solo homer, the best part of an offense that had trouble with a junkball pitcher. There's nothing wrong with the U.S. pitching staff, which has given up four earned runs in three games. All three were started by top draft picks who strutted their stuff.
Ben Sheets, Milwaukee's top pick last year, threw seven shutout innings in an opening 4-2 victory against Japan. Jon Rauch, a third-round pick of the White Sox, struck out 13 South Africans in seven innings of an 11-1 victory Monday. Ainsworth, the 24th overall pick overall last year by San Francisco, looked nervous at the outset, scratching the mound with his cleats and taking deep breaths between pitches. It showed in the results. Ainsworth left his 93 mph fastball over the plate and the Netherlands (1-2) hit it hard. Rikkert Faneyte, who's played 80 games in the majors, lined a single to start the Netherlands' first. Ralph Milliard, an infielder who was part of the trade that sent Al Leiter to the Mets in 1998, followed with another single. After a walk loaded the bases with none out, Hensley Meulens hit into a forceout at second to drive in a run. Meulens also has played in the majors and was nicknamed "Bam Bam" as a top minor league prospect in the 1980s. The U.S. bullpen got busy at that point, but a double-play grounder ended the threat and gave Ainsworth a second chance. He wound up allowing five hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out three. The Americans needed a well-pitched game because their offense was out of whack against a pitcher who looked like he was throwing batting practice at times. U.S. batters spun in circles, lost their bats on awkward swings and had a difficult time in general against Rob Cordemans, who mixed an 88 mph fastball with a changeup that dipped to 66 mph and messed with their timing. Young's two-run double put the United States ahead in the first and his solo homer to right made it 3-1 in the third. Doug Mientkiewicz doubled off the warning track in center to drive in another run in the sixth and later added a sacrifice fly. Brad Wilkerson also hit a solo homer. "The power will come, just have to make solid contact," Young said. Manager Tom Lasorda got into his second brief argument with an umpire in the tournament. After Brad Abernathy was picked off first, Lasorda walked onto the field, spread his arms and argued for a balk call. The Japanese umpire at first smiled as he listened to Lasorda. SportsTicker contributed to this report.
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