American League Dominates

The Mid Summer Classic is usually an interesting game to watch. Every July, the best players in the game get together and show off their talents. Over the past three seasons, the American League has pulled off the victory, thus gaining home field advantage during the Fall Classic in October. This year was no different. Thanks to the efforts of the defending World Champions, the American League has won their 4th straight All-Star game, by a 4-2 score, thus gaining home field advantage in the World Series.

Things got off on the right foot for the National League. Chris Sale got smacked early by Kris Bryant, who homered in the top of the first to give the NL the lead. In the top of the second inning, Johnny Cueto gave up that lead thanks to an Eric Hosmer home run to left. Two batters later, Salvador Perez hit a two run moon shot to give the AL a 3-1 lead. The funny thing is, never once, in the six seasons they have together as big league teammates, had Hosmer and Perez homered in the same inning of any game. That's including regular season and the postseason (ESPN). It just so happen to come on this stage.

Two innings later, we had our emotional on field moment of the night. In the bottom of the third, after a walk, David Ortiz was replaced by Edwin Encarnacion and left the field to a standing ovation in his final all-star game. Every player, on both teams, came out to the top of the dugout and gave him a standing ovation. The AL roster was giving Big Papi hugs and hi-fives as he came off the diamond. That showed how much respect that the players and fans had for David Ortiz, who has had a very impressive career in this game of baseball.

OK now back to the game. The AL would tack on another run in this inning when Hosmer hit an RBI single off Jose Fernandez, driving in Encarnacion to give the AL a 4-1 lead. The NL shrunk the lead with an RBI single by Marcell Ozuna in the top of the fourth off Aaron Sanchez. However, this would be all the runs scored in the game, as the National League stranded 11 baserunners throughout the game, the most notable coming in the top of the eighth. The NL had the bases loaded, but could not capitalize when Aledmys Diaz struck out looking against Will Harris to end the frame. In the ninth, Zach Britton got Nolan Arenado to ground into a double play to secure the 4-2 victory for the American League.

Because of his outstanding performance, going two for three with a home run and three runs driven in, Royals 1st baseman Eric Hosmer walked away with the All Star Game MVP. He became the 1st first baseman to win MVP since Prince Fielder won it in 2011. The only other Royals player to win MVP of the game was Bo Jackson in 1989. With this win, the American League is 16-3-1, including four straight wins, over the last twenty all star games. Also the win gives the American League home field advantage come the World Series in October!