California beats Taiwan, takes Little League WS

[August 31, 2009]  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.

"We knew we could come back," said the 13-year-old Garcia in between laughs with his teammates. "We always do."

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.

[Associated Press; By GENARO C. ARMAS]

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