SEATTLE — It’s American League vs. National League, MLB’s showcase of the brightest stars of the summer game. The NL champs try to snap a nine-year losing streak against their AL counterparts on Tuesday in Seattle. But really, we’re here to see all of baseball’s greatest players in one show.
Among the names to watch out for is Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks, a rookie and an NL MVP candidate who will make his All-Star debut in his hometown. And, of course, two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, who lights up the scoreboard in seemingly everything.
After Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won Monday’s home run derby, and following epic first-round performances from Julio Rodriguez and Adley Rutchman, we’re expecting plenty of fireworks from the 93rd MLB All-Star Game.
Stay tuned for updates, reactions and highlights from T-Mobile Park.
Fourth inning: AL 1, NL 1
George Kirby took the ball for the AL in the fourth. J.T. Martinez recorded his second hit of the game with a double. Two batters later, Luis Ares hit his second single of the game, driving in the National League’s first run.
With two outs, Ares attempted to steal and was called safe at first, but the call was overturned, and the NL half of the inning was over.
Third inning: AL 1, NL 0
Sonny Gray stepped in for Nathan Ewald and, after two quick outs, gave up a walk to Freddie Freeman. A strikeout by Mookie Betts ended the top half of the inning and kept the NL scoreless.
Josiah Gray then took the mound for the NL and posted a 1-2-3 inning.
Second innings: AL 1, NL 0
J.T. Martinez led off the second inning with a run off Nathan Ewaldi, who scored for the AL, and advanced two batters in the second on Luis Ares’ single. But that was as far as they got, as Ewald quickly struck out the next two batters.
In the bottom of the second, Yandy Diaz put the American League on the board with a solo home run off NL pitcher Mitch Keller.
ZC: Yandy!
First Innings: AL 0, NL 0
Ronald Acuna Jr. and Freddie Freeman both hit deep fly balls off AL starter Gerrit Cole, only to be missed by outfielders Adolis Garcia and Randy Arosarena.
HK: Very quickly we had an explanation for why the All-Star break should feature skills competitions – specifically, defensive skills competitions.
As the second baseman for the AL, Shohei Ohtani was immediately greeted with chants of “Come to Seattle” from the packed T-Mobile Park crowd. Ohtani hits against NL starter Jack Galen, but the sentiment stands.
HK: Did they plan this? What a remarkable combination – with such a clear accent – in his first innings.
The first hit of the night belonged to Randy Arosarena, who hit a single into left field before being caught stealing.
Cole said after his start: “A lot of adrenaline for a bullpen day.”
How did he feel about the near-home runs that started the game?
“You have to trust your defense. I mean, I’m here to strike,” Cole said. “I was a little bit more worried about Freddie than I was about Ronald, but anyway, yeah, you’ve got to trust your defense. You’ve got world-class guys running down the ball. So I think it worked out well.
