Little League World Series: Miguel Padilla fuels Mexico on mound, plate in win over Puerto Rico

A closer look at the 6-1 Matamoros, Tamaulipas win over Guaynabo, Puerto Rico on Thursday at Volunteer Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME -- Error in the bottom of the third inning: With two runners on and no outs, what was supposed to be a sacrifice bunt advanced the two into scoring position.

However, a throwing error on third baseman Julian Estrada allowed both runners to come home on the play, doubling up Mexico's score to four runs in one fell swoop.

MEXICO PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Miguel Padilla: Miguel Padilla had a monster performance both on the mound and at the plate to fuel Tamaulipas.

Through 4 1/3 innings, Padilla struck out eight with just one hit and one run let up. At the plate, he hit a home run and went 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

PUERTO RICO PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Diego San Miguel: Guaynabo's first baseman broke up a one-hitter by smacking a double out to the center wall in the top of the sixth inning.

BIG INNING -- Bottom of the first inning: Mexico didn't waste any time putting on a show. Padilla and David Zarate smashed back-to-back home runs over the center wall to jump out to a two-run lead right off the rip.

From there, a player hit by a pitch and two walks loaded the bases with one out. A lineout and dropped third strike-turned out at the plate pulled Puerto Rico out of the first inning before Mexico could pile anything else on.

BEST EFFORT -- After such a massive start for Mexico, Puerto Rico fired right back in the following frame. Two walks and a wild pitch advanced runners into scoring position with one out. A double play closed out the top of the inning, but Fabian Rodriguez forced in a run on the play.

In the bottom half, Puerto Rico forced a groundout and pulled a smooth double play to complement its offense, much to the satisfaction of the Guaynabo fan section.

FLASHING LEATHER -- Game 7 of the Little League World Series was going back and forth, both Puerto Rico and Mexico trading blows and giving each other's defenses a test.

That is, until the top of the fourth inning. Puerto Rico went down in order with a groundout, line out and strikeout from Padilla in a 1-2-3, defensive statement.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY -- "They never did it before, back-to-back homers," Mexico manager Victor Salazar said on Padilla and Zarate's long balls in the first inning.

"We were working on that during the game, pushing to try to get in a position to have more runs," Puerto Rico manager Luis Garcia said. "That's what we do during games."

WHAT THE KIDS SAY -- "I'm happy to throw a good game and hit a homer," Padilla said.

"I'm pretty happy and thankful I'm with (Salazar), for him trusting me," Ivan Cuesta said on closing out on the mound.

WHAT IT MEANS -- Upon another two runs brought in off an RBI from Cuesta and passed ball in the fourth inning, Mexico rode out the win and will face the winner between Canada and Japan at Volunteer Stadium at 5 p.m. Friday.

Puerto Rico will take on Nicaragua at 5 p.m. on Saturday in an elimination game at Volunteer.