SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Kaname Shinozaki's solo homer in the fourth inning broke a tie, and Tokyo, Japan, clinched a spot in the Little League World Series international finals with a 3-2 win Tuesday night over Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
Japan turned aside two late threats, with the potential go-ahead run at the plate each time. After a leadoff walk in the fifth, first baseman Konan Tomori caught a line drive and stepped on first for a double play.
In the sixth, a walk to Ricardo Puga brought Eduardo Mata to the plate, who just missed the game-winning homer after flying out to the right field warning track.
Ogasawara ended the game with consecutive strikeouts.
Enrique Penaloza and Puga each homered for Mexico, which was eliminated.
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