An opening-game loss often spells your doom in the Little League World Series. However, Mexico is determined to buck that trend, as they won their second straight elimination game, earning a fourth game here in Williamsport after losing their first game. This time around, Mexico victimized Canada 7-1, holding their North American counterparts to just one hit, the second straight game Canada has managed only one base knock.

Mexico put a four-spot on the board in the third inning to put the game away, cruising to victory and living to play another day. Victor Juarez did it all for the Mexicans, accumulating two hits, two runs scored, and three no-hit innings on the mound to earn the victory. Milton Gonzalez and Jose Angel Leal both picked up 2 RBI for Mexico. Loreto Siniscalchi was the only productive offensive member for Canada, walking twice and picking up their lone hit of the contest. 

Mexico's offense thumps Canada's pitching

With Siniscalchi, their ace, still needing one more day of rest before being eligible to pitch again, Canada went to Stefano Dal Sasso on the bump, opposing Juarez. Dal Sasso was excellent for the first two innings, the only run he allowed being an unearned mark due to some shoddy defense from his teammates. He stranded runners at second and third by inducing a pair of groundouts to end the inning. He allowed a single hit in the second hitting, but he did put a goose egg on the board to keep the score 1-0.

Unfortunately, in the third inning, things came unraveled for Dal Sasso, as Mexico's offense awoke with a roar. Isaac Cortez doubled to leadoff the frame, and Leal followed with a bomb to dead center field for a 3-0 Mexico lead. They weren't done in that inning either, as two more singles but a pair of runners on base wit one out for Milton Gonzalez. Gonzalez roped a two-run double to left field, increasing Mexico's lead to a healthy 5-0 margin.

Mexico celebrates Leal's home run in the third inning. Gene J. Puskar AP Photo

Mexico tacked on two more runs off of Canada's bullpen, both coming in the fifth inning. The rally was sparked by Juarez's double. Juarez came around to score the sixth run of the day for Mexico on a double from Alejandro Trevino, who scored the final run of the game. 

Juarez and three others one-hit Canada

After a ten-run performance in their first game, Canada's offense was looking prolific. However, they went out with a whimper, getting two hits and one run in their final two games. 

Juarez started the game for Mexico, and he was superb, although he was taken out after the game was broke open by Mexico, in order to minimize the necessary rest for Juarez. Juarez was perfect with the exception of two-out walk issued to Siniscalchi in the first inning. He didn't allow a hit and struck out seven batters over three innings, all swinging, while inducing two groundouts, the only two balls Canada put in play off of him. 

Leal pitched the fourth inning for Mexico, and, although his wildness cost him a little bit, he kept the no-hitter intact while allowing one run. Siniscalchi was at the heart of the Canada rally, drawing a one-out walk and advancing to third on two passed balls. Sean Coventry brought Siniscalchi in when he grounded out, allowing Canada's first and only run to cross the plate. 

Ensuring that they would keep as many pitchers available as they could, Mexico went to two more pitchers over the final two innings to secure the victory. Although they lost the no-hitter with one out in the sixth inning on Siniscalchi's single, they easily preserved their 7-1 victory. They advance to play Australia on Wednesday at 1pm. 

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