The Associated Press

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Lamar National Little League of Richmond, Texas, is batting .440 and has scored 51 runs in four games at the Little League World Series. Conejo Valley, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., is batting .354 and has outscored opponents 25-4.

But anyone anticipating a slugfest when those two teams meet in the U.S. championship game might be disappointed.

Both teams said Friday they're emphasizing defense for today's U.S. championship game. The international championship pits Pabao Little League of Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles (4-0), against Linda Vista of Guadalupe, Mexico (3-1) in a rematch of a game Curacao won 3-2 in pool play.

"I really believe it will come down to the things that most baseball games come down to, and that's pitching and defense," Texas manager Jim Michalek said. "We're thrilled to death that we're hitting the ball well, but it's more important to me that we continue to do the other two things."

"I'm hoping that it comes down to a war with the pitchers, a 3-2, 6-4 ball game - in our favor, of course," California manager Tom Ginther said.

METS: The team signed Cuban defector Alay Soler, giving the pitcher a three-year deal worth $2.8 million.

Soler, 24, was an ace for the Cuban national team last year, going 10-4 with a 2.01 ERA in 18 games. He defected in November.

Soler had been working out at the Mets' complex in the Dominican Republic while paperwork was completed on his contract.

SHORT HOPS: Houston acquired right-hander Dan Wheeler from the New York Mets for minor-league outfielder Adam Seuss.

Wheeler, 26, is 3-1 with a 4.80 ERA in 50 2/3 innings this season. He has pitched in 32 games with one start.

• Scott Erickson was designated for assignment Friday by the Texas Rangers and has agreed to report to Triple-A Oklahoma if he clears waivers.

Erickson (1-3, 6.16 ERA) has made four starts for the Rangers since being acquired from the New York Mets in a trade July 31.

• Montreal purchased the contract of shortstop Maicer Izturis from Triple-A Edmonton on Friday.

Izturis, the younger brother of Los Angeles shortstop Cesar Izturis, made his major-league debut against San Diego.