Chula Vista, California came from behind to beat Taiwanese team Taoyuan 6-3 and claim the Little League World Series crown in Pennsylvania Sunday. Bulla Graft singled in the go-ahead run in the fourth inning and Kiko Garcia pitched three-plus scoreless innings of relief to settle down a Chula Vista team that had fallen three runs behind. The teams shook hands before the Californians celebrated, then invited Taoyuan to accompany them on the customary victory lap around Lamade Stadium. “We knew we could come back,” said the 13-year-old Garcia in between laughs with his teammates. “We always do.” It was the fifth-straight US triumph. Taoyuan's coaches declined to speak with reporters afterward, instead choosing to lead their players across the field back to their dorms, with equipment bags in hand. They walked right past giddy Chula Vista boys on their hands and knees, scooping up bags of infield dirt as a memento of their big win.
