07/16: A.L. Wins Wild One at the Stadium
Posted by: Seamus
Pardon the delayed recap...I wanted to make sure this game was actually over first. Last night's/this morning's MLB All-Star Game was one that won't soon be forgotten, as the 15-inning marathon at Yankee Stadium was the longest All-Star Game of all-time, and tied the 1967 game for the most innings played in an All-Star contest.
The game was kicked off with a ceremony that showed what this game was really all about, as all (well most at least, anyway) living Hall of Famers lined up at their respective positions and heard their names called, followed by the starter at their position for this year's game. That was followed by a very rare on-the-field appearance by the Boss himself, who got a nice ovation, but not as big an ovation as Yogi Berra, who may now be the greatest living Yankee. Everything was pretty well done, although I thought they probably should have started all the festivities at 7:30 or so and then started the game at 8. I think anybody who actually sat through this whole game can agree with me on that.
So just after about 8:30 or so, it was finally time for baseball. Derek Jeter looked to get things going for the American League side in the 1st, as he picked up a base hit that was just barely out of the reach of Chase Utley, then stole second but was left stranded. Jeter went 1-3 in the game with the aforementioned stolen base. Alex Rodriguez also started the game and went 0-2.
The game was for the most part pretty uneventful until Matt Holliday put the N.L. ahead in the top of the 5th with a solo home run. The National League increased their lead to 2-0 in the 6th with a sac fly by Lance Berkman.
Eventual M.V.P. J.D. Drew (yeah, I know) tied the game in the 7th with a two-run homer. It seemed all for naught, however, after Adrian Gonzalez put the N.L. back ahead in the 8th with a sac fly. The A.L. tied the game again, however, in the bottom of the 8th with a double by rookie Evan Longoria.
Mariano Rivera entered the game in the 9th inning with one out and immediately began to clean house by getting a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play to end the inning. After the American League failed to score in the bottom of the 9th, Rivera came back out for the 10th and got out of a 1st and 3rd, one out jam by getting Dan Uggla to ground into a 4-6-3 double play.
It then seemed as if this game was never meant to end, as the A.L. blew opportunity after opportunity to win this game. After loading the bases with nobody out in the 10th, Aaron Cook was able to induce consecutive force outs at home plate before getting Justin Morneau to groundout to short.
In the 11th, it looked like Michael Young had won the game with a base hit, but a laser throw by Nate McClouth from centerfield just barely got (or did it...he looked like he was safe) Dioner Navarro at home plate, who was coming in from second base on the base hit.
Carlos Guillen led off the 12th inning with a double, and was advanced to third on a groundout to put a runner on 3rd with just one out. The N.L. was bailed out again, however, as a strikeout by Evan Longoria and a groundout by Ian Kinsler kept the game alive.
This game wasn't put away until the 15th, when a sac fly (3 of the 7 runs in this game were scored via the sac fly) by Michael Young scored Justin Morneau to FINALLY put this game in the books, as the American League won this game 4-3, shortly after 1:30 A.M. here in New York.
The game did get a bit tedious, but overall I'd say it was a good experience, as the final All-Star Game ever at Yankee Stadium wouldn't have been complete without a little history. I'll admit, though, it was very odd to see some of those Red Sox players wearing their home whites in the Bronx.
As for the Yankees, they'll get to rest up a bit before starting the "second half" with a six-game homestand beginning on Friday against Oakland. Mike Mussina will be facing Joe Blanton in that game. The Yankees are currently 5.5 games out of a playoff spot, so I'm thinking a 42-25 finish at least will have to do. Let's hope they start things on the right foot.
The game was kicked off with a ceremony that showed what this game was really all about, as all (well most at least, anyway) living Hall of Famers lined up at their respective positions and heard their names called, followed by the starter at their position for this year's game. That was followed by a very rare on-the-field appearance by the Boss himself, who got a nice ovation, but not as big an ovation as Yogi Berra, who may now be the greatest living Yankee. Everything was pretty well done, although I thought they probably should have started all the festivities at 7:30 or so and then started the game at 8. I think anybody who actually sat through this whole game can agree with me on that.
So just after about 8:30 or so, it was finally time for baseball. Derek Jeter looked to get things going for the American League side in the 1st, as he picked up a base hit that was just barely out of the reach of Chase Utley, then stole second but was left stranded. Jeter went 1-3 in the game with the aforementioned stolen base. Alex Rodriguez also started the game and went 0-2.
The game was for the most part pretty uneventful until Matt Holliday put the N.L. ahead in the top of the 5th with a solo home run. The National League increased their lead to 2-0 in the 6th with a sac fly by Lance Berkman.
Eventual M.V.P. J.D. Drew (yeah, I know) tied the game in the 7th with a two-run homer. It seemed all for naught, however, after Adrian Gonzalez put the N.L. back ahead in the 8th with a sac fly. The A.L. tied the game again, however, in the bottom of the 8th with a double by rookie Evan Longoria.
Mariano Rivera entered the game in the 9th inning with one out and immediately began to clean house by getting a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play to end the inning. After the American League failed to score in the bottom of the 9th, Rivera came back out for the 10th and got out of a 1st and 3rd, one out jam by getting Dan Uggla to ground into a 4-6-3 double play.
It then seemed as if this game was never meant to end, as the A.L. blew opportunity after opportunity to win this game. After loading the bases with nobody out in the 10th, Aaron Cook was able to induce consecutive force outs at home plate before getting Justin Morneau to groundout to short.
In the 11th, it looked like Michael Young had won the game with a base hit, but a laser throw by Nate McClouth from centerfield just barely got (or did it...he looked like he was safe) Dioner Navarro at home plate, who was coming in from second base on the base hit.
Carlos Guillen led off the 12th inning with a double, and was advanced to third on a groundout to put a runner on 3rd with just one out. The N.L. was bailed out again, however, as a strikeout by Evan Longoria and a groundout by Ian Kinsler kept the game alive.
This game wasn't put away until the 15th, when a sac fly (3 of the 7 runs in this game were scored via the sac fly) by Michael Young scored Justin Morneau to FINALLY put this game in the books, as the American League won this game 4-3, shortly after 1:30 A.M. here in New York.
The game did get a bit tedious, but overall I'd say it was a good experience, as the final All-Star Game ever at Yankee Stadium wouldn't have been complete without a little history. I'll admit, though, it was very odd to see some of those Red Sox players wearing their home whites in the Bronx.
As for the Yankees, they'll get to rest up a bit before starting the "second half" with a six-game homestand beginning on Friday against Oakland. Mike Mussina will be facing Joe Blanton in that game. The Yankees are currently 5.5 games out of a playoff spot, so I'm thinking a 42-25 finish at least will have to do. Let's hope they start things on the right foot.
