SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Sergio Rodriguez powered Matamoros, Mexico into the Little League World Series championship, hitting a two-run homer in a 5-4 win over Tokyo today.

Rodriguez's drive was part of a five-run third inning for Mexico, which won the international title and will play the winner of the U.S. championship game between Louisiana and Hawaii for the World Series crown.

Tomas Castillo and Ruben Molina opened the third with consecutive doubles, and Hector Guevara capped the scoring with an RBI single.

Takumi Ozeki hit an RBI single and scored on a wild pitch to close the gap to 5-4 in the fifth, but Jesus Sauceda came on to get the final four outs and shut the door on Japan. Sauceda struck out three.