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Cumberland R.I., manager David Belisle, center, hugs Colin Cannata as he celebrates with Christopher Wright (8), Matthew Murphy (12), James Belisle (6), Austin Cabral (2), Jacob Glod and Max Hanuschak (10) after the game winning run was scored in the six Tom E. Puskar, Associated Press
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Cumberland R.I.'s Colin Cannata (20) reacts after the ball got past Rotterdam, Netherlands, second baseman Robert van de Koppel (2) in the sixth inning of a consolation baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Tuesday, A Tom E. Puskar, Associated Press
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Hamamatsu City, Japan pitcher Shoto Totsuka delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against Langley, British Columbia during a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa.,Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011. Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press
By Associated Press

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Japan has moved one step closer to defending its title at the Little League World Series.

Hamamatsu City starter Shoto Totsuka combined with relievers Hiroyasu Sugiura and Takuya Okamoto to five-hit Langley, British Columbia in a 4-0 win Tuesday. Japan moves on to play either Mexico or Venezuela on Thursday.

A team from Tokyo won the World Series last year.

Earlier, Cumberland, R.I., had a wild, 8-7 win over the Netherlands in a consolation game after Colin Cannata scored on an error in the bottom of the sixth.

An earthquake centered in Virginia briefly rattled Lamade Stadium during that game. Play never stopped, and a Little League official said the venue was deemed safe after a structural engineer's inspection.

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The fan favorites from Pennsylvania were playing Georgia in the nightcap.

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