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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, August 31, 2009

Chula Vista gives U.S. fifth title in a row


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Chula Vista, Calif., players celebrate after rallying from a 3-0 deficit to beat Taoyuan, Taiwan, 6-3, for the Little League title.

CAROLYN KASTER | Associated Press

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SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Andy Rios couldn't wait to get home to Southern California to have some french fries.

There's a big victory meal upcoming back in Chula Vista.

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 California to a 6-3 victory yesterday over Taoyuan, Taiwan, to win the Little League World Series.

With the U.S.-partisan crowd on their feet, Garcia closed out the victory by striking out Yu Chieh Kao, completing a comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The California fans yelled "USA! USA!"

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

They're surely celebrating in the San Diego suburbs after California secured the fifth straight Little League championship for the United States. Teams from Hawai'i won two of those championships in 2005 and last year.

After a wild celebration around Garcia, the Californians invited Taiwan to accompany them on the customary victory lap around Lamade Stadium on a sun-splashed afternoon.

But the championship banner belonged to California.

"It seems San Diego comes so close all the time. The Padres come close and don't win. The Chargers come close and don't win," manager Oscar Castro said. "It was nice to do it for the city."

Castro sought to shield his team from the pressure of the tournament as they advanced, forbidding them to surf the Internet for the last three weeks to prevent them from seeing the media exposure back home.

Victory yesterday 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.

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 Rios from third.

California added two runs in the fifth, more than enough cushion for Garcia.

Taiwan's coaches declined to speak with reporters after the game.