The American League kept their momentum going in the 2019 MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field, hanging on against the National League, 4-3, to earn a seventh consecutive win. It ties for the longest streak by the AL, as they previously notched seven wins in a row from 2003-09.
The NL holds the all-time All-Star Game record with 11 straight wins from 1972-82. The NL All-Stars also boast a nine-year winning streak (1962-70) during the history of the Midsummer Classic. The 90th Midsummer Classic marked the first time it was played in an AL stadium since Target Field hosted in 2014.
The Los Angeles Dodgers had their fingerprints all over this year’s exhibition, though largely for the wrong reasons. Hyun-Jin Ryu did toss a scoreless first inning as he became the first South Korean pitcher to start an All-Star Game.
With Clayton Kershaw on the mound to start the second inning, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado uncharacteristically couldn’t come up with a hard-hit ball, resulting in a one-out infield single for Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman.
Though he’s now with the Astros, former Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley drew a loud applause from the Progressive Field crowd. He then gave them more reason to cheer by driving a go-ahead RBI double to the gap in left-center field.
When taking into account George Springer’s leadoff single in the first inning, the AL’s first three hits in the game were by Astros players. It marked the first time in All-Star Game history that one MLB team accounted for such.
Walker Buehler made his ASG debut in the fifth inning and promptly allowed a leadoff double to New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez. Max Muncy had a ball squirt out of his glove, allowing Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco to reach on an RBI infield single that extended the AL’s lead to 2-0.
Muncy later atoned for the play by making a diving stop to take away a hit from Carlos Santana, one of the host city’s representatives. Muncy had a quite night at the plate, however, going 0-for-2.
Cody Bellinger also went hitless in his first career start and second overall appearance in an All-Star Game, finishing 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts.
Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon’s solo home run off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Liam Hendriks broke up the shutout bid.
Boston Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts drove in a run on a double play, and Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo lined a home run into right field to provide the AL with insurance in the seventh inning.
They wound up proving necessary as the NL loaded the bases on vaunted Indians closer Brad Hand in the eighth. New York Mets rookie and Home Run Derby champion hit a line drive that went under Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor’s glove and into center field for a two-run single.
