The Seattle Mariners and New York Mets finished their three-game series with a field trip to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the Little League Classic on Sunday night.
Though things were a bit delayed due to rain, it was the Mets who cruised to the dominant 7-3 win at the BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, which was packed with players competing in the Little League World Series this month.
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The Mets kicked things off with a hot second inning, with Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos recording three straight RBI to give the Mets a 3-0 lead. After a quiet stretch, the Mariners finally got on the board in the top of the fourth inning, with Jorge Polanco hitting an RBI single to send Julio Rodriguez home. Though Seattle was able to load the bases, the Mets got out of the inning without conceding any more.
The Mets then pushed their lead in the fifth when Mark Vientos hit a three-run homer. Francisco Lindor added another with an RBI double after, too.
Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer for the Mariners in the seventh to help cut the deficit a little bit. It marked his 47th of the season.
From there, the Mets simply held on to pick up their win.
While it was a blowout almost from the jump, the Little Leaguers were in it the entire time — and even repeatedly badgering Juan Soto.
Big Leaguers meet the Little Leaguers ahead of the Little League Classic
As part of the matchup, both the Mariners and Mets had plenty of face time with the participants in the Little League World Series throughout Sunday. Players were greeted by swarms of kids hoping for autographs, or to trade hats or items.
Of course, there was plenty of sliding down the iconic hill outside the little league park on cardboard boxes — with some of the players getting a few close calls, injury-wise.
Raleigh also had his own tribute to the Little Leagues, with custom gear featuring pictures of the Mariners players and staff from when they were Little Leaguers. The gear was also in line with MLB Players’ Weekend, as players get to play with gear outside of the league norm.
Raleigh later wore a special T-shirt, gifted to him by Bonney Lake, WA shortstop Colton Audette — a member of the Northwest squad nicknamed “Little Dumper.” Audette gave Raleigh a shirt that said “Lil Dumper,” and the catcher wore it ahead of the game.
(Overall, Raleigh had an eventful time with the Little Leaguers — in addition to balls and shirts and hats, Raleigh was also asked to sign a toilet seat.)
Several players also got a chance to meet some of the kids representing their home countries at the Little League World Series. From the Mariners, Canadians Josh Naylor and Matt Brash met up with the Little League squad from Vancouver. Mets players Edwin Díaz and Lindor met the team from their native Puerto Rico.
In addition, some Mariners players, including Mexican native Andres Muñoz, met up with the team from Chihuahua, Mexico. A few Mets players, meanwhile, played some wiffleball with Team Southwest, from Richmond, Texas.
Overall, it was a fun and exciting Sunday for the kids in Williamsport.
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