The Red Sox took advantage of multiple sixth-inning Nationals mistakes Thursday to put up six runs in the frame on the way to a 9-1 win for the Manteca Little League juniors championship. 

The Red Sox led 2-1 going into the fifth when Austin Kovacs (three runs) scored on an error, setting the tone for the sixth. The Nationals used three pitchers in the sixth, walked five, had three wild pitches, two passed balls and a balk with the Red Sox getting just two hits, one a bunt single by Karson Condit.

Austin Kovacs went the distance on the hill for the Red Sox, giving up just four hits while striking out six. Red Sox leadoff batter Ryan Zimmermann was 2 for 3 with a walk, RBI and a run. Matt Dunham had two RBI for the Red Sox – knocking in Zimmermann in the first inning on an error and Kovacs in the third on a groundout.

Tyler Garlets scored for the Nationals in the third inning on a groundout by Kevin Thornburg.

On Tuesday in the first game of the best-of-three series the Red Sox put up nine runs in the third inning. Zimmermann was 2 for 2 with a double, RBI and two walks; Kovacs was 2 for 4 with an RBI, walk and three runs and Christian Tonna had a bases-clearing double along with a pair of walks and a run.

Garlets and teammate Isaac Searcy were each 1 for 3 with a run.