Cabrera bright spot in Marlins’ setback

HUNTINGTON BEACH — As soon as Danny Cabrera made contact, it was a no-doubter.

Cabrera, the Costa Mesa National Little League Majors Marlins outfielder, liked the first pitch he saw in the second inning of Saturday’s District 62 Tournament of Champions opener against the Huntington Valley Angels.

He liked it so much that he launched it way over the left-field fence, a two-run shot that scored teammate Lucas De La Torre and gave the Marlins a 2-0 lead.

“That was the farthest thing I’ve ever seen in this league,” Marlins Manager Randy Wood said. “I mean, that was a monster.”

Unfortunately, the homer was one of the lone highlights for the Marlins, who suffered a 10-3 loss to the Angels at Marina Park to end their season.

“We had some kids step up today and we hit the ball good,” Wood said. “We don’t sit here taking walks. Never have, but it’s just the way it fell. We did good; I’m proud of them.”

The Angels rallied for three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead, with the big hit being Allen Marquez’s two-RBI double.

The Marlins’ Jake Stone homered to right-center in the top of the third, tying the score at 3-3, and catcher Trevor Borkowski followed with a triple to right. But he was left stranded on third base.

The Angels scored twice in the bottom of the third, and broke it open with five more runs in the fourth, including a two-run home run by David Clegg. The Marlins didn’t help themselves by committing three errors.

“They were better than we were defensively, and that’s what won the game,” Wood said.

The Marlins (13-12), meanwhile, could manage just one more hit over the final three innings — a pinch-hit single from Parker Shoaff.

Stone finished two for two, and Cabrera and Daniel Hernandez both added walks for the Marlins.

Wood said it was an accomplishment for his team to even make it to the TOC, the second of two teams coming out of the very competitive CMNLL Majors Division.

“All four teams [in Majors] were even all year,” he said. “We were lucky to get here.”

Starting pitcher Aaron Wood lasted into the fourth inning for the Marlins and struck out five, including the side in the first inning. He, Stone and Borkowski will now prepare for the District 62 All-Star Tournament, which they were selected for in the 11-12 division on Friday. Hernandez was selected for all-stars in the 10-11 division.

“I like our chances in all-stars,” Randy Wood said standing outside the dugout after the game. Then, he greeted the Fountain Valley Little League Marlins, who were preparing for the next game at the same field.

“Good luck Marlins,” he said. “I like Marlins.”

THE MARLINS: Matt Spicer, Aaron Wood, Jake Stone, Trevor Borkowski, Sammy Borkton, Daniel Hernandez, Lucas De La Torre, Danny Cabrera, Adam Ward, Arthur Wisniewski, Kaimon Brust, Parker Shoaff, Nick Covelli.

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or at matthew.szabo@latimes.com.