NL ends 14-year All-Star jinx
Source: Agencies |
July 15, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE National League eked out a first All-Star game victory in 14 years on Tuesday, securing home-field advantage for their pennant winners in the World Series.
On the day baseball mourned the loss of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, the NL battled back for a 3-1 win over the American League after Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann connected for a three-run double to right field in the seventh inning in Anaheim, California.
"Home-field advantage, definitely, it's a big deal," NL coach Charlie Manuel, whose Philadelphia Phillies have played in the past two World Series, told reporters.
McCann was named the game's Most Valuable Player as the NL won its first All-Star game since a 6-0 victory in 1996.
"This is something you dream about, to be in a situation like that," McCann said of his bases-loaded blast off pitcher Matt Thornton.
The AL had gone ahead in the fifth when Evan Longoria scored on a sacrifice fly by Robinson Cano and it threatened a rally in the ninth, when Boston's David Ortiz drove a single from the Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton.
AL manager Joe Girardi then opted to send in Boston's Adrian Beltre rather than Yankees star slugger Alex Rodriguez, who was being held back should the tying run get on base.
"I was definitely looking for him (Rodriguez)," Manuel said.
Beltre struck out on a Broxton fastball and in the next at-bat, a shallow drive to right field by Toronto's John Buck had Ortiz caught short at second base.
The game ended when Texas infielder Ian Kinsler was caught in center field for the final out with Rodriguez looking on from the dugout steps.
"It felt awesome for us to get the win and break the streak," Broxton said.
The passing of Yankees owner Steinbrenner was observed with United States, Canadian and California state flags all flying at half-mast above center field.
As the crowd of 45,408 observed a moment of silence before the game, a fan in the left-field stands called out: "Thank you, Georgie".
"It's a difficult time, on a great day for baseball, the All-Star game, something everyone looks to," Yankees manager Girardi said. "A great man in baseball passed. He's meant so much to not only this organization, but to the game of baseball, and to all of us personally."
Girardi and fellow New York players and coaches at the game all wore black armbands in honor of Steinbrenner.
NL starter Ubaldo Jimenez gave up two hits through two scoreless innings where he struck out one batter and walked another.
Southpaw David Price started for the AL and also had two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and recording one strikeout.
It took the NL 14 years to break through after several close calls. The NL lost the last two 4-3, including that 15-inning affair in 2008 at Yankee Stadium. The two before that were also one-run defeats. In 2002, they tied 7-7.
Regular season play will resume tomorrow after a three-day break for the All-Star game.
On the day baseball mourned the loss of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, the NL battled back for a 3-1 win over the American League after Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann connected for a three-run double to right field in the seventh inning in Anaheim, California.
"Home-field advantage, definitely, it's a big deal," NL coach Charlie Manuel, whose Philadelphia Phillies have played in the past two World Series, told reporters.
McCann was named the game's Most Valuable Player as the NL won its first All-Star game since a 6-0 victory in 1996.
"This is something you dream about, to be in a situation like that," McCann said of his bases-loaded blast off pitcher Matt Thornton.
The AL had gone ahead in the fifth when Evan Longoria scored on a sacrifice fly by Robinson Cano and it threatened a rally in the ninth, when Boston's David Ortiz drove a single from the Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton.
AL manager Joe Girardi then opted to send in Boston's Adrian Beltre rather than Yankees star slugger Alex Rodriguez, who was being held back should the tying run get on base.
"I was definitely looking for him (Rodriguez)," Manuel said.
Beltre struck out on a Broxton fastball and in the next at-bat, a shallow drive to right field by Toronto's John Buck had Ortiz caught short at second base.
The game ended when Texas infielder Ian Kinsler was caught in center field for the final out with Rodriguez looking on from the dugout steps.
"It felt awesome for us to get the win and break the streak," Broxton said.
The passing of Yankees owner Steinbrenner was observed with United States, Canadian and California state flags all flying at half-mast above center field.
As the crowd of 45,408 observed a moment of silence before the game, a fan in the left-field stands called out: "Thank you, Georgie".
"It's a difficult time, on a great day for baseball, the All-Star game, something everyone looks to," Yankees manager Girardi said. "A great man in baseball passed. He's meant so much to not only this organization, but to the game of baseball, and to all of us personally."
Girardi and fellow New York players and coaches at the game all wore black armbands in honor of Steinbrenner.
NL starter Ubaldo Jimenez gave up two hits through two scoreless innings where he struck out one batter and walked another.
Southpaw David Price started for the AL and also had two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and recording one strikeout.
It took the NL 14 years to break through after several close calls. The NL lost the last two 4-3, including that 15-inning affair in 2008 at Yankee Stadium. The two before that were also one-run defeats. In 2002, they tied 7-7.
Regular season play will resume tomorrow after a three-day break for the All-Star game.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
