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Little League World Series: This kid can really hit

Chandler Ariz., coach Clay Bellinger, left, smiles at his son and Arizona player Cody Bellinger as they come into the dugout in the third inning Saturday. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokesman-Review
Chandler Ariz., coach Clay Bellinger, left, smiles at his son and Arizona player Cody Bellinger as they come into the dugout in the third inning Saturday. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Clay Bellinger played in the World Series with the New York Yankees, but the utility man was never really known for his bat.

His son, though, can sure pound the ball.

Twelve-year-old Cody Bellinger went 4 for 5, including an impressive opposite-field two-run homer to left, and Chandler, Ariz., hit five home runs in a 16-6 win Saturday over Salisbury, Md., at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa.

Clay Bellinger even got to stand on the field with his sweet-swinging son – he’s the first-base coach for Chandler.

“He went to the World Series, so I thought it would be really cool if I could go to the Little League World Series,” said Cody, his voice raspy from all the yelling he’s been doing on the field.

No team put on a hitting display like Chandler (1-0) on Saturday, which had 17 hits, including 10 for extra bases.

The first three batters in Chandler’s lineup resemble a Little League Murderer’s Row. Seth Fretheim led off the game with a homer and followed with another shot in the sixth. No. 3 hitter Luke Parrish was 4 for 5, including a homer and a double. Cody Bellinger was sandwiched in between them.

Mexicali, Mexico 11, Apeldoorn, Netherlands 1 (4): Isaac Camano drove in four runs, and Mexico (1-0) used a six-run fourth inning to beat the Netherlands (0-1). The game ended after four innings – two innings early – because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Apeldoorn catcher Roy Sterling left the game in the first after hyperventilating, a result of his griping about the strike zone. Apeldoorn walked five batters in Mexico’s five-run first inning.

Lubbock, Texas 6, Coon Rapids, Minn. 0: The new pitch count rule cost Lubbock pitcher Garrett Williams a chance at tying a Little League World Series strikeout record.

Williams recorded the first 17 outs by strikeout, but had to leave in the sixth inning because he threw 88 pitches. Only two other pitchers have recorded all 18 outs by strikeout.

The new rule this year forces a pitcher out after 85 pitches, though they may finish throwing to the batter on which they reached the 85th pitch.

Asked if he knew how many strikeouts he had, Williams answered, “No sir. I just concentrate on the mitt and try to get the batter out.”

Hamilton, Ohio 10, Warner Robins, Ga., 2: Brandon Green had a two-run home run, then scored again in the sixth after doubling and coming home on a throwing error to lead Ohio (1-1) to the victory. Starter Tyler Richards settled down after allowing two first-inning runs, striking out Clint Wynn to end the game. Micah Wells homered for Georgia (1-1).

White Rock, British Columbia 13, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia 5: Jackson Temple hit a three-run homer and British Columbia (1-0) broke a tie with an eight-run fifth inning to defeat Saudi Arabia (0-1).