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The Los Angeles Angels did battle with Cleveland on Sunday night in the fourth MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The event started in 2017 so Major League Baseball could shine more of a spotlight on the Little League World Series. Unfortunately, the global pandemic limited the Little League World Series to only American teams this season, so it wasn't an international audience of youngsters on hand.
Still, this event is a great way for Major League Baseball to reach out to the next generation of baseball fans. Here are the biggest takeaways from the 3-0 Cleveland victory.
Quantrill dominates after three
In seeing that the Angels were shut out, one could surmise it was a dominant performance by the Cleveland pitching staff, but that was heavily weighted in favor of one individual. Cleveland starter Cal Quantrill allowed only two hits (both singles) and two walks in seven innings. He struck out nine. It wasn't like he started out poorly, but he was especially filthy after the Angels got runners at first and third with one out in the third. Quantrill retired the last 13 batters he faced, including seven strikeouts. Once he settled in, the Angels had no shot. He was the story of the game.
Ohtani was popular and productive
The big name here was obviously Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani. He was the one drawing the loudest cheers from the Little Leaguers in attendance and even was receiving a "Sho-Hei!" chant in the eighth with the Angels, post-Quantrill, trying to rally and make this a game. He walked in that plate appearance, ending up going 1-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base. He was also on the move on a successful David Fletcher hit-and-run single in the third.
Shaw bails out Karinchak
The Angels mounted a big rally in the eighth inning, loading the bases with one out after Ohtani's aforementioned walk. James Karinchak had relieved Quantrill and was threatening to blow the game (he was also fortunately when Jo Adell's booming shot down the left field line was just barely foul). Shaw came in and got Fletcher to ground into a double play to end the threat.
Rosario plays offensive star
It was just two batters before Cleveland had a 2-0 lead. Amed Rosario homered here after a Myles Straw double in the first.
As we know now, that would be all the Cleveland pitching staff would need. Rosario wasn't quiet afterward, though, as he ended up 3-for-4 on the night.
This was all good enough to earn Cleveland the sweep. It moves to 61-61 on the season while the Angels drop to 62-64.
