BEIJING - Three games into their Olympic experience, the Americans aren’t enjoying their baseball results.
For the second time, the U.S. lost in the last inning - this time the 11th - falling to Cuba 5-4. The Americans are now 1-2 in preliminary round play, also having lost in the final at-bat against Korea.
In a new odd Olympic rule for extra innings, the 11th began for both teams with runners placed at first and second. The Cubans converted the contrived situation for two runs, while the Americans scored only once in the bottom of the 11th.
Kevin Jepsen, from Anaheim and property of the Angels, pitched two scoreless innings of relief against the Cubans on Friday.
Fellow Angels minor leaguer Matt Brown was hitless in four at-bats, plus a walk. Terry Tiffee, a minor leaguer for the Dodgers, had two hits and drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
The bizarre rule change didn’t sit comfortably with the Americans.
“That whole extra-inning thing,” Tiffee said, “is bogus.”
The U.S. returns to action Saturday against Canada.
