Little League World Series 2016: Panama wins consolation game on walk-off home run

The International runner-up from Aguadulce, Panama beat the United States runner up from Goodlettsville, Tenn. to win the Little League World Series consolation game Sunday 3-2 after a dramatic three-run bottom of the sixth. The game ended on back-to-back home runs by Carlos Gonzalez and Esmith Pineda.

The kids from Tennessee were spotted a first-inning 2-0 lead without a hit on three walks and three passed balls after starting Panama catcher Leonardo Bernal had trouble handling pitches from Gonzalez. Tanner Jones and Tyler Jones led off the game with a walk each, both advanced on a passed ball and Zach McWilliams walked to load the bases. Tanner Jones scored on the second passed ball of the inning, then Tyler Jones scored the second run on the third passed ball before Abel DeLeon replaced the struggling Bernal behind the plate.

While Gonzalez only allowed one hit and struck out five batters in five innings, he was ultimately charged with four walks and three wild pitches before hitting the pitch limit. Jose Torres struck out two batters in a scoreless sixth and was awarded the win.

Tennessee’s Tyler Jones earned the game’s first base hit in the top of the third with a double that fell between Panamanian left fielder Jose Torres and shortstop Tomas Sarmiento. Jones could not score after getting caught in a rundown, however.

McWilliams was dominant in his first five innings, taking a no-hitter into the fourth inning for Goodlettsville, but Panama’s Bernal dropped an excellent bunt down the first base line for a leadoff single. In the sixth, McWilliams struck out Sarmiento, but Bernal singled to left and Gonzalez avoided taking the loss by homering to tie the game. One batter later, Pineda ended the contest with a booming home run to left field to give the Panamanians the consolation game, 3-2.

McWilliams struck out six batters in his 5 1/3 innings. In all, Tennessee allowed only 21 runs in its seven tournament games.

The championship game between the U.S. champions from New York and the International champions from South Korea is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ABC.