Dodgers lefty Justin Wrobleski made a bit of history last night. He became the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 1999 to have at least five strikeouts in the All-Star game (h/t Sarah Langs of MLB.com).
1. American League earns shutout win
The AL cruised to a 4-0 victory in last night’s All-Star game. Pitching dominated for both sides. Blue Jays righty Dylan Cease set the tone by striking out the side in the first inning. Cease and a steady stream of relievers combined for 15 strikeouts. Of the 11 pitchers used by the AL, only Bryan Baker failed to record a punchout. He faced two batters, allowing a single to Otto Lopez before getting Sal Stewart to ground out to end the game. Outside of Cristopher Sanchez‘s rough first inning, the NL arms were also dominant. The only scoring after the first frame came via a solo homer from Miguel Vargas. The AL and NL have now alternated winning the Midsummer Classic for five straight seasons.
2. Bellinger takes home MVP honors
Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger came through with the biggest swing of the night. With the bases loaded and two outs in the first inning, he roped a single up the middle to give the AL a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. In a game that didn’t have much action, Bellinger’s two-RBI knock was enough to earn the MVP award. The 31-year-old struggled to a .663 OPS in June. He continued to slump in July, until picking up five hits against the Nationals in the final series before the break. The Yankees will need him to heat back up as they await the return of Aaron Judge.
3. Caminero fine after HBP
There was a scary moment in the third inning last night. A Riley O’Brien sinker ran up and in on Junior Caminero, hitting him in the hand. The Rays’ third baseman jogged straight to the clubhouse after gathering himself. Fortunately, Caminero has avoided serious injury. X-rays showed no fracture in his hand. He’s expected to suit up on Friday against the Red Sox, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. “I feel good,” Caminero said. “Thank God that nothing’s broken, and it was just more of a scare more than anything.” O’Brien sought out Caminero in the opposing clubhouse after the game to check on him. “He was very understanding,” O’Brien said, relayed by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “And classy about it.”
Photo courtesy of Eric Hartline, Imagn Images
