On this date in USA Baseball history, Team USA shut out Korea 4-0 in a pitcher’s duel for the ages. Roy Oswalt threw seven shutout innings of his own and recorded his first win of the tournament as Team USA brought its Olympic record to 4-0.
After falling 15-0 in an exhibition game to Team USA, Korea decided to switch up their pitching in game four of the Olympics and started their submarine pitcher, Tae-Hyon Chong. The decision proved to be the right move as Chong pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out five, forcing Oswalt to match.
However, Oswalt lived up to the challenge, even striking out one more on 100 pitches. Behind Oswalt was impeccable defense such as Adam Everett’s continuous work at shortstop and Mike Kinkade’s clutch play at third. In a bases-loaded sixth inning, Kinkade made a diving play, tagging third and making the throw to first for the inning-ending double play and preserving the shutout for the Americans.
The Koreans switched up pitching in the eighth resulting in just what Team USA needed. In the bottom half of the inning with one out, Mike Neill connected on a single to right and Ernie Young managed to get on base with a walk. Despite a change in pitchers, Kinkade forced a walk and loaded the bases for Doug Mientkiewicz.
With one swing on a 3-2 count, Mientkiewicz broke through the shutout and hit a go-ahead grand slam for Team USA.
Chris George and Ryan Franklin ended the game on the mound for Team USA as the squad defeated Korea and moved on to their next challenge in Italy.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| KOR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| USA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| Win: R. Oswalt Loss: T. Chong | Box Score |
September 20, 2000: Roy Oswalt came through with seven shutout innings to help #TeamUSA remain undefeated through four #Sydney2000 games 👏🏼
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) September 20, 2020
📝: https://t.co/AtoBt5nwpv pic.twitter.com/fvegKPCYk2
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- Roy Oswalt recorded six strikeouts and didn’t allow a single run in seven innings on 100 pitches
QUOTABLES
- “I was at second base, so I had a perfect angle to see the pitch. Doug was seeing the ball really clearly, because he laid off some tough pitches to hit. I knew the way he was seeing it, he was going to have a productive at-bat, and he didn’t miss the fastball. The guy had to challenge him, with a full count.” Ernie Young (Baseball America, Miracle on Grass)
- "We've had some difficulty with the different pitching we've faced, but we're finding ways to score," Mientkiewicz said. "We've had different guys come through." Doug Mientkiewicz (Baseball America)
- “If Kinkade doesn’t make that double play, we lose. I don’t get my chance to shine. But I have a great still-frame memory of that moment, running up the line with my finger in the air, and (first-base coach) Reggie Smith high-fiving me. That was one of the longest home runs I’ve ever hit in my life.” Doug Mientkiewicz (Baseball America, Miracle on Grass)
