The American League’s only other run came in the bottom of the third when Hosmer, who was named All-Star Game MVP, singled home Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion. But then Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant homered on the first pitch he saw to give the NL an early 1-0 lead.
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Cleveland’s Corey Kluber pitched a 1-2-3 second inning for the win, and Zach Britton induced Nolan Arenado’s game-ending, double-play grounder for the save as the AL cut its deficit to 43-42 with two ties.
The National League would squander ten hits and two walks and lose 4-2 to the American League, giving the Junior Circuit home field advantage in this year’s World Series.
The Kansas City Royals never truly get the respect they deserve, virtually overlooked by everyone outside America’s heartland, but, oh, they sure have a way of grabbing your attention. His Tuesday work came three hours before the first pitch with a bullpen session.
Since 2003, when it was first used to decide home-field advantage in the World Series, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game has played out at a tricky intersection of new incentive and old custom. “Salvy and I go way back”.
“I don’t like to make excuses but as you know you get up feeling well some days and some days you don’t”, he said through an interpreter.
Hosmer got something in the way of reinforcements right away, as Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez belted a two-run dinger to put the American League ahead for good.
National Basketball Association owners made no decision Tuesday after a lengthy debate about moving next year’s All-Star Game from Charlotte because of North Carolina’s law limiting protection for LGBT people. I’m going to give you two at-bats, and if you get on your second at-bat I’m going to pinch-run for you and give you an opportunity to walk off the field. And I feel so happy for him and for his family. First baseman Anthony Rizzo drove in a run with a single in the fourth, although Bryant had a Hosmer smash go off him for a run-scoring single in the third.
In his second All-Star Game and first appearance, Herrera displayed his dominant stuff.
The NBA All-Star Game lasts an entire weekend, with the players getting a full week off before returning to their gruesome schedule. It was the first of Hosmer’s two hits and two RBIs.
After countless events and endless buildup, it was finally time to play the All-Star Game.
Just like that, it was Royals 3, NL All-Stars 1. “So that was a cool moment”.
“I was supposed to hit a home run my second at bat”, Ortiz laughed later.
Ortiz was given a standing ovation by teammates and the crowd.
“And his first pitch was a changeup”, Ortiz said, to great laughter.
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Most expected the American League to boast a strong pitching staff. Royals skipper Ned Yost went into the game with an oddly constructed roster, boasting more relievers than starters. “But for my first one, I definitely enjoyed it”. There’s no obvious candidate to inherit the Rivera-Jeter-Ortiz role of elder statesman at the 2017 All-Star Game in Miami, no sunset-riding hero from one of MLB’s storied franchises to act as honoree.
