OAKLAND, Calif.—A team of accomplished Little Leaguers walked
onto the field to cheers—from a bunch of big leaguers who
admired them from afar.  The runner-up U.S. Little League World
Series team from Petaluma in Northern California joined the
Oakland Athletics for stretching and pregame catch Friday
afternoon before the A's opened a weekend series with the Boston
Red Sox.  "Don't show us up, either," A's third baseman Brandon
Inge yelled good-naturedly at the kids.   Oakland outfielder and
designated hitter Jonny Gomes is from Petaluma and has supported
the town's Little Leaguers over the years. This Petaluma
team—with green and gold uniforms just like the A's—captured the
attention and hearts of the major leaguers.  "This is so cool.
This is their dream, obviously, to be able to do this," Petaluma
manager Eric Smith said. "So, to just get that feel for it, be
on this grass, this is great. This is perfect."  Gomes, who was
in the lineup and hit an RBI single in the second inning, wasn't
allowed to give the p