US crush Taiwan

The rout was the 19th consecutive Olympic win for the US, a streak of dominance stretching back to a 2-1 round-robin loss to Australia at the 2000 Sydney Games.

In Beijing, the powerful Americans have surrendered just one run in five games while tossing four shutouts. Three of the victories have ended by the mercy rule.

"I think everything is coming together," said US slugger Crystl Bustos.

"Our hitting is actually getting better and everyone is going with the flow.

"But we're not thinking of medals, we're just thinking one game at a time. The coach keeps us focused on the next game, not looking ahead."

The US grabbed the early lead on Jessica Mendoza's first inning RBI double then sealed their fifth straight win with a five run third-inning blitz sparked by a Mendoza leadoff solo homer.

The home run was Mendoza's third in two games.

"A home run at any time feels good, at the Olympics it feels spectacular," said Mendoza. "Usually when we score it's like the flood gates have opened. You never know who is going to be the spark plug."

Despite sitting atop the standings with an unblemished 5-0 mark and outscoring opponents 36-1 the US has yet to clinch first place.

Japan kept the pressure on the US by improving to 4-1 with 3-0 win over China while Canada was upset by Olympic debutantes Venezuela 2-0.

It was the second straight defeat for the Canadians after opening the preliminary round with three wins.

Australia appears to have their medal hopes back on track after a rocky start.

Sandy Lewis cracked a three-run homer and Justine Smethurst tossed a one-hitter as the 2004 silver medallists pounded the Netherlands 8-0 for their third consecutive win after starting play with back-to-back defeats.