SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- California came up big late to win the Little League World Series.
Bulla Graft's sharp single scored the go-ahead run in the fourth inning and Kiko Garcia pitched three-plus scoreless innings of relief to lead Chula Vista to a 6-3 victory over Taoyuan, Taiwan, to take the tournament title.
With the pro-U.S. fans on their feet, Garcia closed out the victory by striking out Yu Chieh Kao. The California fans yelled, "USA! USA!"
The teams shook hands before the Californians celebrated, then invited Taiwan to accompany them on the customary victory lap around Lamade Stadium on a sun-splashed afternoon.
They reveled in the United States' fifth straight Little League championship.
The latest win looked in doubt early. Wen Hua Sung and Chin Ou hit back-to-back homers in the third to give Taiwan a 3-0 lead.
California scored a run in the third before surging ahead in the fourth. Seth Godfrey drove in a run on a sacrifice fly before Nick Conlin scored on a wild pitch.
Even Vice President Joe Biden, who attended the game, was impressed, standing and clapping as his three granddaughters looked on.
Later, Taiwan walked slugger Luke Ramirez with two outs to bring up Graft. The 12-year-old second baseman hit a 1-1 pitch to right to score Andy Rios from third.
Taiwan loaded the bases in the fifth off two hit batters and a walk, but Garcia escaped the jam after getting Ou to ground into an inning-ending double play. Rios snagged the bouncer, tagged the runner going to third before throwing to first to get Ou."It was just instinct to tag the runner. He was right in front of me," the 13-year-old Rios said. "They had all the momentum with the bases loaded, but I gave us the momentum with the double play."
California added two runs in the fifth, more than enough cushion for Garcia.
The boys threw their gloves high in the air after Kao struck out, then gathered near the mound and fell into a pile on the ground.
Ou, who started for Taiwan, baffled California early with breaking balls.
California didn't homer Sunday, as the club followed through on manager Oscar Castro's philosophy to hit line drives, not the long ball.
Taiwan's coaches declined to speak with reporters afterward, instead choosing to lead their players across the field back to their dorms, with equipment bags in hand.
They walked right past giddy California boys on their hands and knees, scooping up bags of infield dirt as a memento of their big win.
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Little League World Series
Reynosa, Mexico, second baseman Gilberto Tijerina fields a ball hit by San Antonio's Wyatt Willis in the fourth inning of the Little League World Series baseball consolation game in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. Mexico won 5-4. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
AP
WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 30: Pitcher Raymond Berronnes #23 of Mexico (Reynosa) pitches against Texas (San Antonio) in the consolation game at Volunteer Stadium on August 30, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Mexico defeated Texas 5-4. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Raymond Berronnes
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WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 30: Pitcher Steven Cardone #21 of Texas (San Antonio) scores a run against Mexico (Reynosa) in the consolation game at Volunteer Stadium on August 30, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Mexico defeated Texas 5-4. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Steven Cardone
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WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 30: Pitcher Raul Rojas #18 of Mexico (Reynosa) bats against Texas (San Antonio) in the consolation game at Volunteer Stadium on August 30, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Mexico defeated Texas 5-4. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Raul Rojas
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WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 30: Centerfielder Mario Cardenas #9 of Mexico (Reynosa) makes a catch against Texas (San Antonio) in the consolation game at Volunteer Stadium on August 30, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Mexico defeated Texas 5-4. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mario Cardenas
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WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 30: Starting pitcher Steven Cardone #21 of Texas (San Antonio) VERB against Mexico (Reynosa) in the consolation game at Volunteer Stadium on August 30, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Mexico defeated Texas 5-4. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Steven Cardone
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WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 30: Third baseman Raymundo Berronnes #23 of Mexico (Reynosa) celebrates his game winning home run against Texas (San Antonio) in the consolation game at Volunteer Stadium on August 30, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Mexico defeated Texas 5-4. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Raymundo Berronnes
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WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 30: Mexico (Reynosa) celebrates their win against Texas (San Antonio) in the consolation game at Volunteer Stadium on August 30, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Mexico defeated Texas 5-4. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)
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WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 30: Texas (San Antonio) players shake hands with Mexico (Reynosa) after the consolation game at Volunteer Stadium on August 30, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Mexico defeated Texas 5-4. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)
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WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 30: Third baseman Raul Rojas #18 of Mexico (Reynosa) scores a run against Texas (San Antonio) in the consolation game at Volunteer Stadium on August 30, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Mexico defeated Texas 5-4. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Raul Rojas
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Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GREAT YOUNG MEN, GREAT TO SEE !!
CONGRAT'S GUYS !!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Congratulations,,Chula Vista,California. What a awesome game to watch...well watched all of them. I sat here and never gave up hope on you. What a great game, World Champs.
You guys were awesomw! Congratulations!!
You guys were awesomw! Congratulations!!
NICE JOB ON WINNING THE GAME. NGRATS TO BOTH TEAMS AND THE PARENTS.
No steroids. No salaries. No endorsements. No whiners. No prima donas. And, no quitters. Just a bunch of American kids having fun and showing how the game was meant to be played. For the sheer joy and fun of it. Champions? You bet. Love them? How could you not? Congratulations, guys. You ARE the best.
I have to say that watching this LLWS was one of the biggest thrills I have had the pleasure to see. All of these boys (and girls) that participated are the finest examples of athletes and sportsmen that anyone could hope to find anywhere. The team from Taiwan was a fine and worthy opponent for Chula Vista. Both teams played hard, and they played with their hearts. The way they played is how baseball should be played...If only the major leagues would take notes....they could learn a lot from these young men. I extend my congratulations to both teams and to all the teams that played. You're all winners in my book. Thank you for playing such an exciting and memorable series for me.
great game!well coached teams.this is what little league should be about.(the kids)another great series ,i wish it could last longer
They just may get that Victory Parade they have been waiting for so long to get also. There Parents have got to be very Proud. What a game,,and they just weren't good Hit'ers,,they showed that they can Pitch too.
I was THRILLED when Chula Vista won the LLWS, they play awesome....this whole series was awesome
the teams ALL played well.
Congrats to Chula Vista....Que Bueno....
awesome job all the way from kihei maui to give this comment
Way to go Chula Vista! I hope to see some of you in the majors someday. It's good to see such diversity on a team U.S. ball players of your age.
Great job Chula Vista! We in Northern CA were rooting for you the whole time.
Congratulations!
I watched these young men during the play offs tremendous bunch of athletes.their parents have raised some good kids ,they were polite,good sports,and respectful of their fellow athletes. asking the chinese team to run with them was a class act and showed some big -time maturity and humbuleness great job.
It looked more like Taiwan vs Mexico,wasn't a white boy on the team,only in California lol.
hate to burst your ignorant bubble george but ther were "white boys" on the team .they represented the usa ,who cares what there surname is and if you didn't notice, some had parents who are not hispanic.take off your blinders and celebrate the world series champs from chula vista,ca,u.s.a.
Great game, fellas. I was pulling for Georgia, but when you beat them, I was with ya'. Congrats to the kids from Taipei, as well. You played great, but got beat by a better team today. 2nd place in the world isn't something to be ashamed of, either, but I understand your disappointment.