2023 MLB All-Star Game: National League Snaps Losing Streak; J.D. Martinez Stands Out Among Dodgers

The National League snapped an All-Star Game winning streak at nine games by coming from behind for 3-2 win over the American League at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Díaz was named 2023 MLB All-Star Game MVP.

A solo home run from Yandy Díaz of the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning provided the AL with an early lead. Their 1-0 lead held until J.D. Martinez started a rally with a leadoff double in the fourth inning.

Martinez later came around to score the tying run on Luis Arráez’s single. The Miami Marlins All-Star, who is attempting to bat .400 during the regular season, saw two pitches in the All-Star Game and collected a base hit on both of them.

The AL jumped back out ahead in the sixth inning on sacrifice fly from Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette. The table had been set Kanas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez hitting a single and Oakland Athletics All-Star Brent Rookie’s ground-rule double.

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. appeared to hit a game-tying home run in his first career All-Star Game at-bat, but the call was overturned via challenge, and he wound up with just a single in a scoreless sixth inning for the NL.

They did manage to break through in the eighth inning when Díaz hit what held as the game-winning, two-run home run. Diaz was the first catcher in Rockies franchise history to make the Midsummer Classic.

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel issued back-to-back walks with two outs in the ninth inning before closing out the win for the NL with a strikeout.

Dodgers in MLB All-Star Game 2023

Freddie Freeman had a hit taken away from him in the first inning on a leaping catch by Randy Arozarena. The Tampa Bay Rays’ All-Star made the impressive catch one batter after his close friend Adolis García of the Texas Rangers opened the game with a leaping grab to rob Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. of extra bases.

Freeman went 0-for-1 with one walk prior to being replaced by Braves first baseman Matt Olson. Although Freeman was hitless, his highlights centered around being part of a mic’d up segment with teammate Mookie Betts.

The two were asked by Dodgers broadcaster and Fox sports lead play-by-play man Joe Davis about Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani, to which Freeman quipped he was not going to get fined for tampering. Betts did say the Los Angeles Dodgers would welcome Ohtani should he choose to sign with the team in free agency.

Betts and Freeman were among the five Dodgers All-Stars in Seattle. Though, Clayton Kershaw was unable to play due to a left shoulder injury.

Betts started in center field and hit third, going 0-for-2 with one strikeout.

Martinez went 2-for-2 with one double and a run scored. Martinez became the first Dodgers All-Star with two hits in a game since Mike Piazza in 1996.

Will Smith went 0-for-1 with one walk and a stolen base in his first career All-Star Game. Orlando Hudson (2009) was the last Dodgers All-Star to steal a base.

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