LLBWS roundup: Japan ousts Mexico to climb lower bracket

Tensei Yazawa threw five innings of one-run ball and fanned seven, Ryosuke Takaoka had two RBIs and Japan won its third straight game in the International lower bracket of the Little League Baseball World Series, eliminating Mexico 3-1 on Tuesday in South Williamsport, Pa.

The team from Joto Little League in Tokyo dropped into the lower bracket after an opening loss to Curacao, but it has defeated teams from the Dominican Republic, Czech Republic and Mexico over the past four days.

Yunosuke Yabe went 2-for-2 and Takeru Yorozu scored twice. Japan hit four consecutive singles to plate two runs in the first inning and scored again on a fielder's choice by Takaoka in the fourth.

Rafael Mesina drove in Mexico's lone run on a fourth-inning groundout before Yazawa struck out the side in the fifth and Rui Tobata tossed a 1-2-3 sixth. Jorge Fonseca went the distance for the team from Tijuana, Mexico, scattering all three runs (two earned) and eight hits while striking out three without a walk.

Alabama 4, Washington 2

Cam Lee hit an RBI double, Kinley Rasmus added two hits and Alabama stayed alive once more in a win over Washington.

The Southeast Region representatives from Phenix City, Ala., won their third consecutive game in the U.S. lower bracket. Jerry Taylor worked around four hits and four walks in five innings as he held Northwest Region representative from Tacoma, Wash., to its two runs.

Frankie McCabe had an RBI sacrifice fly for Washington, which later drew within two runs on Smith Huteson's one-out double in the sixth. Alabama closer Cedric Harrison Jr. retired the next two batters to lock down the win.

--Field Level Media