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With mounting injuries, the 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Chase Field will have fans searching for programs to keep track of all the players.
So much for me boasting about the starting pitching of the Philadelphia Phillies. While Cliff Lee only allowed one run, he gave up the first run of the 2011 All-Star Game on a 403-foot home run to right field off the bat of Adrian Gonzalez. Gonzalez, who finished as the runner-up in the Home Run Derby on Monday evening has the first hit for the junior circuit, as it came with two outs in the top of the fourth inning.
Unlike himself, Lee then followed up by allowing the next two runners to reach base, singles by both Jose Bautista and Josh Hamilton.
Tyler Clippard of the Washington Nationals then entered to face Adrian Beltre. Clippard is a 26-year old reliever and first time All-Star. Beltre singled to left before Bautista was thrown out at home for the final out, as Hunter Pence had a nearly perfect throw to Brian McCann.
Middle of the 4th
American League 1
National League 0
C.J. Wilson of the Rangers will pitch the bottom of the fourth for the American League.
Lancer Berkman of the St. Louis Cardinals collected the first hit of the annual Mid Summer Classic with a one out single to center against Yankees reliever David Robertson of the Yankees who came on to reliever Weaver for the top of the second inning.
However Berkman was caught on the backside of a double play during a strikeout-throw out double play. Robertson struck out Berkman's teammate Matt Holliday before Berkman was caught stealing. He actually beat the throw to second, before sliding past the bag and being tagged by Yankees second basemen Robinson Cano.
Cliff Lee indeed did enter the game for the top of the third inning, to face David Ortiz of the Red Sox. Ortiz and Robinson Cano both promptly grounded out to first basemen Prince Fielder for the first two outs. Tigers catcher Alex Avila then grounded out, as no batter got the ball out of the infield against Lee.
If anything, these first few innings are reminding everyone that the Phillies pitching rotation will be hard to match in the playoffs. With Cole Hamels still on the bench for the National League All-Star pitchers, Philadelphia sure has the horses to go a long way in October.
Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay retired the side in order during the first inning, needing just 14 pitches including a strikeout of Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, after Curtis Granderson grounded out to begin the game. The American League starter Jered Weaver was nearly flawless as well in the bottom half of the inning before giving up a walk to Matt Kemp of the Dodgers. Weaver rebounded by getting Prince Fielder to line out to left to end the inning.
With the solid starting pitchers in this game, especially on the National League side, this could be a low scoring game early on with runs scored later in the game as more substitutions are made.
Halladay came out for the second inning and quickly retired the the side again to finish with two perfect innings in his eighth All-Star appearance. Adrian Beltre drove one towards the warning track with two outs, but Lance Berkman was there to catch it. Halladay's night is over, and it looks like fellow Phillies starter Cliff Lee will enter the game in the third inning.
Taking injuries into account, pitchers who need rest (Justin Verlander), and players who don't want to be there (Derek Jeter), the 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Chase Field in Phoenix just doesn't seem to have the appeal it once did. With 84 players officially being named All-Stars this year, there are probably even some NBA fans out there laughing at the vast number of players who were named All-Stars this season.
The Midsummer Classic used to be one of the events of the summer, and while many still watch the game, it just doesn't bring up the same feelings. It was a chance for those in American League cities to witness all the great players in the National League and vice versa. With so many interleague games being played these days, combined with the expanded ability to see out of market games via MLB.tv, it has removed the shine the game once had.
While I believe that baseball needs to re-evaluate the All-Star game and interleague play, it doesn't mean it isn't worth tuning on.
The starting pitchers tonight will be Jered Weaver of the Angels facing Roy Halladay of the Phillies. Obviously neither pitcher will see much action, as each team features 13 pitchers, however the National League is only missing two pitchers who will not participate in Matt Cain and Cole Hamels, while the American League will be without eight pitchers, including Kansas City's own Aaron Crow. The Royals rookie reliever is a late scratch from the game because he has taken ill. As a Royals fan it takes the small reason for watching, out of the game completely. Such is life though, because honestly the chances of Crow getting into the game was a longshot anyway.
The American League Starting Lineup-
SS Ansdrubal Cabrera Indians
3B Adrian Beltre Rangers
DH David Ortiz Red Sox
2B Robinson Cano Yankees
P Jered Weaver Angels
The National League Lineup-
DH Carlos Beltran Mets
1B Prince Fielder Brewers
LF Matt Holliday Cardinals
SS Troy Tulowitzki Rockies
3B Scott Rolen Reds
P Roy Halladay Phillies
While I think the American League features the more potent lineup offensively, I like the National League in this game as they have fewer pitchers who are holding out of the game, and they will benefit from having the last at-bat.
The festivities get under way at 7 pm (CST) on Fox.
Prince Fielder's Home Run Leads National League To 2011 All-Star Game Victory
With one swing of the bat in the bottom of the fourth inning, the National League got all the runs they needed in taking a 5-1 victory over the American League during the 2011 MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field.
C.J. Wilson faced Prince Fielder with two runners on base and just one out, hitting a 410-foot home run to center field to erase a 1-0 defect and give the National League a 3-1 lead. For his efforts, Fielder was named the MVP of the All-Star game. The Brewers slugger finished 1-for-2 at the plate with three RBI.
The National League added single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to provide us with the final score of 5-1. Andre Ethier and Pablo Sandoval picked up the additional RBI's. Bruce Bochy's squad was active on the basepaths as well with Starlin Castro picking up two stolen bases and Rickie Weeks having a base swipe as well.
For the National League, this was their second All-Star Game win in a row, in a series that has recently been dominated by the American League. With the win, the National League will once again have home field advantage in the World Series.
Wilson took the loss, while Tyler Clippard picked up the win while facing just one batter. Ironically Clippard gave up a hit to the only batter he faced.
Jul 12 10:53p by Matthew Hays