MARACAY, VENEZUELA -- Team USA was held to one run in a 6-1 loss to Japan Saturday in World Cup semifinal action at Jose Perez Stadium. The loss puts the U.S. out of gold medal contention and will play the loser of the Venezuela-Australia game for the bronze on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. (EDT).

Team USA and Japan were tied at 1-1 through four innings but the Japanese would take a 2-1 edge in the fifth and then put the game out of reach with a four-run sixth inning.

USA’s Jenna Marston hurled five strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out two. Marston also led the U.S. at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run batted in while Tara Harbert was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Japan, the designated home team, jumped on the board in the bottom of the first. After loading the bases on a pair of singles and an intentional walk, Yukiko Kon was hit by the pitch, pushing across Akiko Shimura.

Marston, however, belted an RBI double to center in the USA third to drive in Harbert from first, knotting the score at a run apiece.

The U.S. threatened in the top of the fifth, loading the bases on a leadoff single by Harbert, a walk to Marston and a hit by Clarisa Navarro. However, Ayami Sato induced a double-play grounder to third and snared a come-backer to escape the inning.

Ayako Rokkaku gave Japan the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth with a single to left to score Natsumi Nakano from second.

In the bottom of the sixth, Japan put runners on first and second on a single and a walk. A wild pitch advanced the runners and Nakano singled through the left side, driving in two runs. Rokkaku struck again with a two-run hit to cap the scoring.