Knight's strong start helps U.S. reach medal round
OLYMPIC BASEBALL
Mets minor league pitcher gives up two runs over 6 1/3 innings as the Americans beat Taiwan, 4-2.
BEIJING -- Brandon Knight gave up two runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings and outfielder Dexter Fowler went three for three with a double and triple, scoring once and knocking in another run, to lead the U.S. to a 4-2 win over Taiwan on Tuesday, clinching a spot in the medal round of the Beijing Olympics baseball tournament.
The U.S. improved to 4-2 with the win and complete preliminary round play against Japan on Wednesday. Japan also advances to the medal round as does defending champion Cuba and unbeaten Korea, which remained perfect with a win over the reigning gold medalists Tuesday.
The winner of Wednesday's U.S.-Japan game will face No. 2-seeded Cuba in the first game of medal play Friday, with the loser getting top-seeded Korea.
Knight, a New York Mets minor leaguer from Oxnard who gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings in his first start here, was sharp from the outset against Taiwan, with his first five outs coming on strikeouts.
He also got some help from right fielder Nate Schierholtz, who gunned down a runner at the plate to end the top of the sixth. Left fielder John Gall then led off the bottom of the inning with a homer, breaking a 1-1 tie. A walk to Jason Donald, a sacrifice and Fowler's opposite-field double inside the left-field line made it 3-1.
One out after Knight gave up a homer to start the seventh, U.S. Manager Davey Johnson went to his bullpen and right-handers Mike Koplove and Kevin Jepsen responded with 2 2/3 innings of hitless relief.
Neither Koplove, a Dodger minor leaguer, or Jepsen, an Angels prospect, have allowed a run in the Olympics.
Gall reached base three times, scoring twice, for the winners.
kevin.baxter@latimes.com
