On this date in USA Baseball history, Team USA continued its Olympic run and moved to 2-0 after a dominating 11-1 victory over South Africa. Jon Rauch got the start on the mound for the Americans recording 13 strikeouts and allowing only three hits and one run on the day.
After trailing 1-0 in the first inning, Brad Wilkerson tripled to right field and fired up the Team USA offense. Ernie Young managed to get on base with a walk and John Cotton brought the pair home with a two-run double down the first-base line, giving Team USA a 2-1 lead.
Cotton continued to lead the way at the plate collecting an Olympic record five RBIs as Team USA tallied nine more runs throughout the second, fourth and sixth innings and never looked back. Brent Abernathy, Doug Mientkiewicz and Pat Borders all managed hits as the American squad crusied to a 10-1 lead after five innings.
Mike Neill recorded his second home run of the Games in as many days in the sixth inning, giving Team USA a 10-run lead. After South Africa was unable to produce a run in the top of the seventh, Neill’s solo shot was the deciding factor and ended the game early due to the international 10-run rule.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| RSA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| USA | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | - | 11 | 9 | 1 |
| Win: J. Rauch Loss: L. Mauritz | Box Score |
A statement-making, record-breaking performance #ForGlory🇺🇸 #OTD 20 years ago at the #Sydney2000 Olympics.
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) September 18, 2020
📝: https://t.co/0BC4jZbvlT pic.twitter.com/9jQ6YeHCBz
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- Jon Rauch’s 13 strikeouts was one short of the Team USA Olympic record for strikeouts in a game (B.J. Wallace, 1992)- John Cotton’s five RBIs set a Team USA Olympic record
- Mike Neill hit his second home run of the Games
- Brad Wilkerson was 2-for-3 at the plate and recorded a stolen base
QUOTABLES
- “I had to settle down and focus and get back to what I do best, which is throw strikes. It took me a while to settle down and get in a rhythm with (Pat) Borders, but once I did that, I threw well.” Jon Rauch (Baseball America, Miracle on Grass)
- “The record really does mean everything…I’m getting a chance to show teams in the U.S. and overseas that I can play this game, and hopefully help us win a gold medal, too.” John Cotton (Baseball America, Miracle on Grass)
- “It’s important that we are off to a 2-0 start, but every night is important. That’s what’s different about this tournament.” John Cotton (Baseball America, Miracle on Grass)
