SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) Pinch-hitter Fukutaro Kiyomiya homered in the bottom of the fifth inning, and Tokyo pitchers Nobuyuki Kawashima and Daiki Fukuyama shut down Mexicali Baja California, Mexico, in a 3-1 victory Sunday in the Little League World Series.
Kabu Kikuchi gave Japan a 2-0 lead in the first when he singled home Shingo Tomita and Yugo Aoki. Aoki finished 3 for 3, all singles.
Kawashima struck out five and walked none in four shutout innings for the win. Jose Reyes took the loss for the Mexican team, allowing three runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings before leaving at 87 pitches.
Gerardo Lujano homered for Mexicali Baja California in the sixth.
Japan improved to 2-0. The Kitasuna Little League also represented Japan in winning 2001 and 2012 LLWS titles, with return trips in 2007 and 2014. Mexico dropped into the elimination bracket to face Sydney on Monday.
