PANAMA CITY, Panama, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The United States clinched a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2003 Baseball Olympic Qualifying Event for the Americas on Tuesday with a 10-0 win over Colombia.
Southpaw Horacio Ramirez of the Atlanta Braves led the way for Team USA, allowing one hit over five innings. J.D. Durbin and Royce Ring each tossed one inning to finish off the combined two-hitter.
The contest was called after 6 1/2 innings because of the international 10-run rule. Team USA improved to 2-0 and has surrendered just five hits over 16 scoreless innings.
Ernie Young went 3-for-4, including a two-run double, in a five-run first inning. Jeremy Reed added two hits and scored a pair of runs.
Colombia starter Alex Blanco lasted just one inning, allowing five runs. He gave up just two hits, but walked three, hit a batter, and committed a balk.
The team's next scheduled game is Wednesday against unbeaten Panama (3-0), which leads Pool B.
