For the Mets on Sunday, their hopes of a late-season sprint into an unforgettable autumn started in the birthplace of Little League.

All it took was a trip to the Little League World Series, an offensive outburst against Seattle’s George Kirby and a solid start from Clay Holmes.

This story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo’s Mets Beat newsletter. Paige Leckie contributed to this week's newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The Mets used small ball to build an early lead before turning the power on in the 5th inning. Mark Vientos had four RBI (including a three-run round-tripper during that four-run fifth) and Clay

The Mets were greeted at the airport in Williamsport on Sunday by plenty of enthusiastic young fans and connected with teams from all over the world.

Ahead of tonight’s Little League Classic in Williamsport between the Mets and Mariners, several players from each team renewed a ritual that has become a staple of this event.

Cardenales Little League from his hometown of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, was representing Latin America in the LLWS.

For Major League Baseball players, a trip to Williamsport is unlike any other. Away from the hustle and bustle of a different big cities every week, the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners are instead greeted from the airport by a slew of Little League World Series players to introduce them to the World Series