After seeing over 300 home runs clear the wall yesterday from Monday’s jaw-dropping Home Run Derby, fans were instead treated to a strikeout-filled game as the pitchers took back the power.
Shane Bieber, Justin Verlander and Aroldis Chapman each struck out the side and the American League slowed a loaded NL lineup for a 4-3 victory and earning its seventh consecutive win in the All-Star Game.
7 in a row!
The AL takes down the NL in the 90th MLB All-Star Game! pic.twitter.com/vfwz2gXlEJ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 10, 2019
This year’s All-Star game was the complete opposite of last year’s contest in which it featured a record-setting 10 home runs.
“I know it’s the year of the home run, but pitching dominated today,” Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado said.
Facing the likes of Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger, the AL pitchers didn’t back down as they has 16 strikeouts on the night.
Mets’ Pete Alonso Wins 2019 Home Run Derby; Vladimir Guerrero Breaks Records
Fresh off his Home Run Derby victory Monday night, Pete Alonso helped pumped some life back in the NL with a two-out, two-run single in the eighth to close the gap. But it was a little too late as the AL team held on for the 4-3 victory.
The win was the seventh consecutive victory for the AL which ha now won 19 of the past 22 All-Star games. The AL continues to hold a slim lead in the overall series with a 45-43-2 record in the Midsummer Classic.
Most Valuable Player
Pitching in front of the home crowd, Cleveland Indians pitcher Shane Bieber was the only member of the Indians’ rotation to make the All-Star Game. And boy did he make it count!
The 24-year-old right-hander, struck out the entire side in the fifth inning with the home crowd chanting “MVP, MVP, MVP.”
The crowd was not disappointed after the game when Bieber was named the MVP.
With the honor, Bieber became just the 4th American Leaguer to strike out the side in their only inning pitched and is just the second pitcher all-time to strike out the side in his home park and in his first All-Star Game.
Striking out the side in front of a home crowd at an All-Star Game must be the best feeling in the world.
What a moment for @Indians pitcher @ShaneBieber19 ? pic.twitter.com/qMHNGNmHdU
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 10, 2019
New Faces
Did you have to do a double take? This year’s All-Star Game featured 36 first-timers thanks to the absence of Manny Machado, Bryce Harper and other star players. Also, out of all 16 AL pitchers on the 2017 All-Star roster, zero made the roster this year.
Tribute
Every uniform had a uniform patch with the No. 45 on it to honor late Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs who recently passed away. Los Angeles teammates Mike Trout and Tommy La Stella switched their jerseys to Skaggs’ number, and there was a pregame moment of silence.
