SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- The smiling boys from Taoyuan, Taiwan stood along the third-base line and took a bow in unison as their parents and fans snapped pictures.They had plenty to be excited about after winning a spot in the World Series title game.
Taiwan took advantage of six Mexico errors and scratched out runs on a bunt single and a bases-loaded walk to take the international title. Taiwan is back in the title game for the first time since 1996, when it beat Cranston, R.I.
"I was really excited, but tomorrow we have another game - the championship game,'' starting pitcher Wen Hua Sung said through translator Ming Huang Yeh.
A mix of Mexico miscues and six-hit pitching by the 12-year-old Sung lifted Taiwan in a game delayed twice by rain.
Mexico waited out the delays in the dugout by reminiscing about its fun times in Pennsylvania.
Some Taiwan players spent the time practicing their swings or snacking on chocolates. Sung went over his pitching motion to stay loose, and his concentration paid off.
Manager Chen Ta Lee said he set up his rotation to have Sung pitch the international final.
Chin Ou scored on a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning, then smacked a two-run double in the sixth to give Taiwan a four-run cushion.
Trailing 9-2 entering the sixth, Mexico got two runs on a groundout and an infield single by Marcelo Martinez before Sung struck out Allan Wilburn to end it.
The teams then exchanged customary Little League postgame handshakes at the plate, before Taiwan lined up to take its bows.
But it was hard to tell that Mexico lost when the skies opened up again as soon as the game ended and the grounds crew hurried to cover the infield.
The squad of 12- and 13-year-old boys danced in the showers, and some opened up their jerseys and started belly flopping and sliding on the waterlogged tarp to the delight of the crowd.
Little League World Series
Taoyuan, Taiwan, baserunner Kuan Sheng Huang is safe as he slides into third base as Reynosa, Mexico, third baseman Raul Rojas misses the throw during the second inning of the Little League World Series international championship baseball game in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Taoyuan, Taiwan shortstop Hung Yuan Lin smiles after a play in the fifth inning against Reynosa, Mexico at the Little League World Series international championship baseball game in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Reynosa, Mexico pitcher Marcelo Martinez reacts after Taoyuan, Taiwan scored during the first inning of the Little League World Series international championship baseball game in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Taoyuan, Taiwan, teammates Wen Hua Sung, left, and Pa Chuan Pan celebrate an out in the fifth inning against Reynosa, Mexico in the Little League World Series international championship baseball game in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Reynosa, Mexico right fielder Luis Perez catches a ball for an out in the sixth inning against Taoyuan, Taiwan, during the Little League World Series international championship baseball game in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Reynosa, Mexico starting pitcher Marcelo Martinez pauses in the second inning against Taoyuan, Taiwan during the Little League World Series international championship baseball game in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Taoyuan, Taiwan shortstop Hung Yuan Lin, right, fields a ball as teammate Cheng Chieh Lee moves into help during the third inning against Reynosa, Mexico, in the Little League World Series international championship baseball game in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Taoyuan, Taiwan manager Chen Ta Lee, right, talks with batter Kuan Sheng Huang during the Little League World Series international championship baseball game against Reynosa, Mexico, in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Taoyuan, Taiwan baserunner Hao Yu Lin scores in the rain against Reynosa, Mexico during the sixth inning of the Little League World Series international championship baseball game in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Taoyuan, Taiwan pitcher Wen Hua Sung squats on the mound during the Little League World Series international championship baseball game against Reynosa, Mexico in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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By GENARO C. ARMAS, AP Sports Writer
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