Japan beats California 6-4 for Little League World Series title

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

11 years ago

Tokyo, Japan, catcher Ryusei Hirooka, top, blocks the plate and tags out Chula Vista, Calif.s Patrick Archer (3) who tried to tag up and score on a fly out by Calif.s Jake Espinoza in the fifth inning of the Little League World Series Championship baseball game.

Tokyo, Japan, players and coaches pose after winning the Little League World Series Championship baseball game against Chula Vista, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, in South Williamsport, Pa. Tokyo, Japan, won 6-4.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pennsylvania — Ryusei Hirooka lined a decisive two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning and Shunpei Takagi hit two solo home runs as Tokyo beat Chula Vista, California, 6-4 on Sunday to win the Little League World Series.

It was the 14th championship game for Japan, which was making its fourth straight appearance in the title game, and ninth title. California, making its 23rd championship game appearance, has won seven World Series titles. Giancarlo Cortez had a two-run single and Grant Holman an RBI single for Chula Vista.

Trailing 4-3 after Cortez’s single in the fourth, Japan tied it on Takagi’s second homer and won it when Hirooka lined a 2-2 pitch down the left-field line for a double.