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Major
League Baseball
In duel, AL
prevails over NL to earn home field
Mariano named ASG
MVP; Junior Circuit wins for first time since 2009
mlb.com
NEW YORK -- Over the past half-century, some of baseball's greatest
pitchers have passed through the borough of Queens. Tom Seaver once
called Shea Stadium home. Nolan Ryan did, too, sharing a mound with
Dwight Gooden, Pedro Martinez and so many others.
So it was only fitting that Tuesday evening, with Seaver in attendance
at the borough's first All-Star Game in 49 years, pitching ruled the
night. American League pitchers held the National League to three hits
in a 3-0 blanking at Citi Field, scoring World Series home-field
advantage for the Junior Circuit for the first time since 2009.
"The American League is so talented right now," said Tigers starting
pitcher Max Scherzer, who contributed a scoreless first inning. "We
respect everything about the National League. We know how talented they
are, too. But it just shows how good of pitchers we have."
In perhaps the most appropriate twist of all, Yankees closer Mariano
Rivera -- the embodiment of New York pitching excellence -- received a
standing ovation from the 45,186 in attendance when he entered in the
eighth. Players in both dugouts cheered as Rivera stood alone on the
mound, saluting Citi Field's fans before retiring the NL side in order
to earn the Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP Award.
"I wanted to come to the game, and since this will be my last one, I
wanted to enjoy and be able to pitch for the last time in the All-Star
Game," Rivera said, explaining that he pitched the eighth instead of
the ninth to ensure an appearance. "The rest was indescribable. I can't
describe it."
There were only so many adjectives that could capture the night, from
the wild screams of the crowd to the quiet respect of Rivera to the
sheer excellence of manager Jim Leyland's American League staff.
Looking to halt its streak of three consecutive All-Star losses, the AL
successfully turned to the arms that deserted it during last year's 8-0
All-Star drubbing in Kansas City, with 10 pitchers combining for the
shutout.
Scherzer and White Sox lefty Chris Sale, who earned the victory, mowed
down the first nine NL batters consecutively, before Mariners ace Felix
Hernandez finally allowed the NL's first hit with one out in the fourth.
The NL did not record another hit until hometown third baseman David
Wright singled three innings later.
"The thought of the All-Star Game is phenomenal as a hitter," Wright
said. "But when you actually have to dig in and you get three guys
throwing upper-90s with good secondary pitches, it puts you in your
place a little bit. That's for sure."
Arizona's Patrick Corbin was the first pitcher to crack for a run,
serving up Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista's sacrifice fly after
Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera opened the fourth with a double. An
inning later, the AL extended its lead when Orioles outfielder Adam
Jones doubled, Twins catcher Joe Mauer singled and Orioles shortstop
J.J. Hardy grounded into a run-scoring fielder's choice...
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