US defeats Dutch 7-0 in baseball

[August 14, 2008]  BEIJING (AP) -- The United States has beaten the Netherlands 7-0 in a baseball game that was called off after eight innings following a second rain delay.

The Dutch protested the decision because they had loaded the bases in the ninth inning with no outs. The protest was denied by baseball's international federation. The players shook hands after the game, which started 6 1/2 hours earlier.

Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and struck out 11 for the Americans, who bounced back from a tough loss in their opener to South Korea.

Matt LaPorta hit a three-run homer and Matt Brown added a solo shot.

[Associated Press]

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