Six golds in swimming raised American spirits after the basketball and baseball teams sank into the bronze age. But they aren't likely to prevent the first U.S. loss in total golds at the Pan American Games in 40 years.
Not since the first games in 1951, when the United States sent teams in only 15 of 21 sports and trailed host Argentina, have the Americans lost the gold race.That prospect is now almost certain as Cuba heads into the final day virtually tied with the United States but heavily favored to win most, if not all, of its 11 fights for gold in boxing Sunday - plus a batch of other golds.
"We've all been thinking about the medals," said Andrew Gill, who won the 100-meter backstroke. "Every time we walk through the athletes village, people remind us. Tonight helped even things up some."
The swimmers will seek another six-race sweep on Sunday, the final day of competition.
Jane Skillman won her third gold, taking the 800 freestyle in 8:43.26, just ahead of teammate Lisa Jacob. Americans also were 1-2 in the men's 50 freestyle, where Todd Pace edged Adam Schmitt 22.60 seconds to 22.61.
The U.S. women's 400 medley relay team set a Pan Am record as Jodi Wilson, Dorsey Tierney, Angie Wester-Krieg and Ashley Tappin clocked 4:12.51. Tierney and Tappin each collected their third gold.
Mark Dean won the 200 butterfly, Lisa Summers took the 200 individual medley, and Gill edged Rodolfo Falcon of Cuba in the backstroke.
Dean, still coming back from lung surgery in June 1990, beat 1988 Olympic gold medalist Anthony Nesty of Surinam by nearly two seconds with a time of 2:00.11.
Chris Roberts singled to drive in Jeff Hammonds, who had led off the 15th inning with a double, as the United States outlasted the Dominican Republic 2-1 for the bronze medal in baseball.
The Americans overcame a 163-pitch, 13-inning effort by Dominican starter Felix Nova, who lost his bid for his fourth victory at 1991 Pan Ams.
The men's basketball team matched the bronze of the baseball team - and their compatriots in women's basketball. The men beat Cuba 93-74 in a brutal game that nearly broke out into a brawl, then had to sit and watch, with a tug in their hearts, as Puerto Rico beat Mexico 77-65 for the gold.