For the last thirteen years the American League has came to the All-Star game and dominated the event. Not this year as the National League finally picks up a win in the midsummer classic. The game was a true showing of this year’s baseball being known as the year of the pitcher as the NL’s arms held the AL to only one run as the National League went on to win 3-1.
The AL came out in the fifth inning when Evan Longoria scored the first run of the game and what would be the only run for the AL. The Lead did not last for long as Braves catcher Brian McCann came in to a bases loaded opportunity when he came up with a bases clearing double and three run RBI. As these was the only three runs for NL and that’s all it took to win.
The American League thought that they had a chance in the ninth when David Ortiz (the winner of last night home run derby) comes up with a lead off base hit single off of Jonathan Broxton. As things seemed to be looking up Papi’s Red Sox team Adrian Beltre comes up to bat and strikes out. So with one out in the bottom of the ninth you would think that you would send in a pinch runner for one of the lowest runners in baseball but they left Ortiz out there which would come back to bite them. As Catcher John Buck gets a base hit in right field that would lead to Ortiz getting a force out at second base. With two down Broxton faces Ian Kinsler and Kinsler can’t get it done which leads to the National League win. The winning pitcher for the game was Matt Caps and the save went to Broxton. Of course the winner of the MVP award was McCann who lead to all the runs that was scored for the NL.
The only thing that I don’t understand about this game is the balancing of players by Joe Girardi. Why would you not keep players for the ninth inning in a close game so that you have options? When it came down to need a pinch runner all he has on the bench is Alex Rodriguez, who never entered the game. I feel if he left some bench players and gave himself some better option there may have been a different ending to this game. But there wasn’t and the National League wins the game and wins the home field advantage for the team that wins the NL Pennant.
The AL came out in the fifth inning when Evan Longoria scored the first run of the game and what would be the only run for the AL. The Lead did not last for long as Braves catcher Brian McCann came in to a bases loaded opportunity when he came up with a bases clearing double and three run RBI. As these was the only three runs for NL and that’s all it took to win.
The American League thought that they had a chance in the ninth when David Ortiz (the winner of last night home run derby) comes up with a lead off base hit single off of Jonathan Broxton. As things seemed to be looking up Papi’s Red Sox team Adrian Beltre comes up to bat and strikes out. So with one out in the bottom of the ninth you would think that you would send in a pinch runner for one of the lowest runners in baseball but they left Ortiz out there which would come back to bite them. As Catcher John Buck gets a base hit in right field that would lead to Ortiz getting a force out at second base. With two down Broxton faces Ian Kinsler and Kinsler can’t get it done which leads to the National League win. The winning pitcher for the game was Matt Caps and the save went to Broxton. Of course the winner of the MVP award was McCann who lead to all the runs that was scored for the NL.
The only thing that I don’t understand about this game is the balancing of players by Joe Girardi. Why would you not keep players for the ninth inning in a close game so that you have options? When it came down to need a pinch runner all he has on the bench is Alex Rodriguez, who never entered the game. I feel if he left some bench players and gave himself some better option there may have been a different ending to this game. But there wasn’t and the National League wins the game and wins the home field advantage for the team that wins the NL Pennant.
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