USA enjoys another easy softball win

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- The third home run in two days by Jessica Mendoza and another strong outing by Jennie Finch Saturday carried the United States to a 7-0 softball win over Taiwan.

The game was called after five innings by the mercy rule.

With two games remaining in the round-robin portion of the tournament, the United States is rolling toward what would be its fourth softball gold medal in as many tries. Partly because of the American domination in the sport, it will be taken off the Olympic program in 2012.

"They are too strong to defeat," said Taiwan Coach Chia-Hsing Chang.

Mendoza, who homered twice against Japan on Friday, hit a solo shot Saturday as part of a five-run third inning. Finch threw a no-hitter over five innings against Venezuela in the Americans' Olympic opener.

It was the 19th straight Olympic win for the Americans, who have outscored their opponents in these games 36-1.

"We are confident, but not overconfident," said Finch. "We respect our opposition."

Japan advanced to 4-1 in the tournament with a 3-0 victory over China and Australia improved its chances of making the medal round with a 4-0 decision over the Netherlands.