SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — California's mini-mashers bashed their way into the Little League World Series championship last night.

Andy Rios hit a grand slam in Chula Vista's nine-run first inning and the Cali sluggers routed San Antonio, Texas, 12-2, to advance to today's final against Taiwan.

"USA!, USA," the frantic California fans chanted after their team won the U.S. bracket.

Chula Vista will try to extend the United States' four-year winning streak in the World Series title game. Taiwan advanced with a 9-4 victory over Mexico.

Luke Ramirez and Bulla Graft also hit consecutive homers in the first, and Graft added a two-run drive to center in the third.

Rios got Chula Vista off to a fast start with a terrific play at shortstop in the top of the first, leaping to his right to stab Travis Daves' liner before starting a double play.

Ramirez also was impressive on the mound, throwing one-hit ball in a game that was shortened to 3 1/2 innings because of the 10-run rule. After fanning Troy Montemayor for the final out, the imposing 6-foot Ramirez pointed skyward and let out a big yell.

The 13-year-old slugger has turned into a star in Pennsylvania, with fans chanting "Luuuuke!" each time he steps to the plate. They were still hooting and hollering his name 15 minutes after the game was over, with most of the rest of the stadium empty.

It will be the first appearance for a California team in the World Series final since 2004, when Thousand Oaks lost to Curacao.

Texas lost for the first time this year. It was held scoreless until the fourth, when Jacob Ramos had an RBI double and another run scored on a passed ball.

TAIWAN 9, MEXICO 4

The smiling boys from Taoyuan, Taiwan stood along the third-base line and took a bow in unison as their parents and fans snapped pictures.

They had plenty to be excited about after winning a spot in the World Series title game.

Taiwan took advantage of six Mexico errors and scratched out runs on a bunt single and a bases-loaded walk to take the international title. Taiwan is back in the title game for the first time since 1996, when it beat Cranston, R.I.

"I was really excited, but tomorrow we have another game — the championship game," starting pitcher Wen Hua Sung said through translator Ming Huang Yeh.

A mix of Mexico miscues and six-hit pitching by the 12-year-old Sung lifted Taiwan in a game delayed twice by rain.