LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES : Japanese Pitcher Is Dominating

His favorite U.S. player is Mark McGwire, but Kazuki Sumiyama looked more like Randy Johnson on Saturday.

Sumiyama struck out nine and gave up only two hits as Osaka, Japan, defeated Phenix City, Ala., 5-0, in the championship game of the Little League World Series.

Sumiyama, a soft-spoken 12-year-old, struck out three of Phenix City’s first four batters and had a total of 19 strikeouts in his two appearances.

“He was hard to hit off of,” said Phenix City shortstop Brandon Monk, who was 0 for 3 with a strikeout. “He would hide the ball really well with his hand, and it was hard to pick up. Plus, he throws really hard.”

Only Zach Martin and Cory Rasmus got hits, both singles, off Sumiyama, who throws a fastball and variations his teammates call the “Kazuball” and the “Thunderball.” His coaches say he is shy even back home in Osaka and that he is already being recruited by Japanese high schools.

“I imagined that I was pitching someplace else,” Sumiyama said through an interpreter.