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Aug 20, 2008 12:23 am US/Central

U.S. Beats Japan 4-1 To Advance To Gold-Medal Game

Beijing Games Complete Coverage

BEIJING (AP) ― Crystl Bustos hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning as the U.S. Olympic softball team beat Japan 4-1 in extra innings and will play for its fourth straight gold medal.

The Americans (8-0) pushed across four in the ninth Wednesday to extend their Olympic winning streak to 22 games.

Tied after seven, the teams went to the international tiebreaker in the eighth as both began their at-bats with a runner at second base.

Bustos, softball's greatest power hitter, hit her fifth homer of the games and 13th of her Olympic career. Monica Abbott pitched eight shutout innings for the U.S., which could face Japan again for gold Thursday.

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: Crystl Bustos No. 6 of the United States is greeted by her teammates at home plate after her home run in the top of the ninth inning to give USA a 4-0 lead against Japan in the semifinal softball game at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on Aug. 20, 2008
Clive Rose/Getty Images