Bustos puts US into Beijing final

Bustos is greeted by her team-mates at home plate after her hit

Crystl Bustos hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning as the United States beat Japan 4-1 to reach the final of the Olympic softball tournament.

Blanked for eight innings by Yukiko Ueno, the Americans eventually extended their Olympic winning run to 22 thanks to another power hit from Bustos.

It was her fifth homer of the Games and 13th of her Olympic career.

The Japanese could still reach the final by beating either Australia or Canada in the bronze medal game.