AL All-Stars

Another All-Star game down, another American League domination. The AL ruled baseball’s annual grand stage on St. Louis Tuesday night to claim home field advantage in the 2009 World Series. The junior league controlled the senior circuit in a 4-3 victory. They came from behind for the fourth straight year to slip past the NL for the win.
Carl Crawford provided the highlight catch and was rewarded the game’s MVP. The Rays’ speedy and talented outfielder pulled back a homerun with a leaping grab in the 7th inning. The ball was jacked to deep left-center by the leadoff hitter, Brad Hawpe of the Rockies. Crawford raced to meet the ball and picturesquely picked it off the wall to preserve a 3-3 tie.
The American League jumped to a 2-0 lead early in the first inning off San Francisco starter, Tim Lincecum. The first six batters Lincecum faced reached base safely. Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki singled and New York’s Derek Jeter was hit by an inside high heater. Minnesota Twins slugger, Joe Mauer, reached on a fielder’s choice before NL first baseman and hometown crowd favorite, Albert Pujols, committed an error on a Mark Teixeira’s groundball. Jeter scored on the miscue for the first run of the hyped event. Mauer scored two batters later with Josh Hamilton earning an RBI.
Roy Halladay was the slated starter for the American League. Halladay was roughed up in the second by the NL lineup. It would be the National League’s only scoring on the night. Yadier Molina of the Cardinals singled on a two out Halladay offering to score the Mets’ David Wright. Philadelphia’s Shane Victorino also scored when Hamilton overthrew his teammate from Texas, Michael Young, at third base. The ball slided off Victorino and skidded near the third base dugout. Homerun derby winner, Prince Fielder, represented the Brewers only RBI in the All-Star game. Fielder delivered a double to give the NL a 3-2 advantage before the NL bats were silenced. Hanley Ramirez grounded out to end the inning and the AL pitchers went on to retire 18 consecutive batters. Adrian Gonzalez drew a two out walk in the eighth to finally give the NL a base runner. The red-clad Cardinals fans watched Pujols go 0 for 3 at the dish on his shining night. The first baseman who wears number five did make a pair of impressive defensive plays to rob Jeter and Teixeira of hits. It was the first time since 1966 the game was played in St. Louis.
Mauer tied the game in the fifth inning off the Dodgers’ Chad Billingsley. He clubbed a two out double to notch the game at three. American League relievers combining for 1-2-3 innings each included Mark Buehrle, Zack Greinke, Edwin Jackson, Felix Hernandez, and Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon was credited with the win and the Yankees’ Mariano Rivera the save. Rivera pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth All-Star game save.
First time All-Star, Curtis Granderson, socked the go-ahead and eventual game-winning triple in the top of the eighth off of Heath Bell. Justin Upton, Arizona’s outfielder playing out of position in left, had a hard time playing the ball off the carom. Granderson was able to leg out a three bagger because Upton was stalled. After Boston’s Kevin Youkilis was intentionally walked, the Orioles’ Adam Jones scored Granderson with his timely sacrifice fly. Tuesday was Jones’ first All-Star appearance.
It was the same old story for the NL. The league without a designated hitter can’t seem to overcome the All-Star drought that has plagued them since 1996. The AL has now has a 40-38-2 record against their counterparts.

Parting points: Song of the day- “Everyday is a Winding Road”- Sheryl Crow

Happy Birthday to Brian Austin Green.