Final, American League 5-3: Twins closer Glen Perkins electrified the Minnesota crowd with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He earned the save while working with his Twins batterymate, Kurt Suzuki.
The big story of this one, of course, was Derek Jeter, who played in his 14th and final All-Star Game. Jeter rose to the occasion, collecting two hits in the American League’s 5-3 win.
Mike Trout also collected two hits for the AL en route to All-Star Game MVP honors. He opened the scoring with an RBI triple in the first inning and then added an RBI double in the fifth inning that gave the AL a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
The American League will have home-field advantage in this year’s World Series.
End 8th, American League 5-3: Tony Watson recorded the first out. Aroldis Chapman was responsible for the final two.
Chapman and fellow Cuban Yoenis Cespedes exchanged some smiles during Cespedes’ eighth-inning at-bat. Chapman won the battle by getting Cespedes to ground out.
Kyle Seager grounded to first to end the inning. Chapman covered the bag and actually came up limping a bit. Hopefully that’s nothing to worry about, for the Reds’ sake.
Twins closer Glen Perkins will look to close this game out. His Minnesota batterymate, Kurt Suzuki, will catch the ninth.
Mid 8th, American League 5-3: Sean Doolittle and Fernando Rodney combined for a scoreless eighth inning.
Freddie Freeman singled off Doolittle with one out. Anthony Rizzo pinch-hit for Giancarlo Stanton and struck out swinging on a 94 mph fastball from the A’s lefty.
Rodney entered and walked Todd Frazier on four pitches, putting the tying run on base for Daniel Murphy. Murphy, batting for the first time, struck out swinging.
Rodney did his usual pose upon striking out Murphy to end the mini threat.
End 7th, American League 5-3: Alexei Ramirez was stranded in scoring position in the seventh inning.
Ramirez reached on an error by first baseman Freddie Freeman. He swiped second base before Brandon Moss struck out for the second out of the inning.
Ian Kinsler was called upon to pinch-hit for Jose Altuve, who knocked in the American League’s fifth run with a sacrifice fly to deep left field in the fifth inning. Craig Kimbrel struck out Kinsler.
Sean Doolittle will pitch the eighth inning for the American League. Erick Aybar is the new shortstop.
Mid 7th, American League 5-3: It’s seventh-inning stretch time at Target Field.
Greg Holland cruised through the top of the seventh. Josh Harrison, Charlie Blackmon and Hunter Pence went down consecutively.
Harrison flied out to right field, Blackmon struck out and Pence grounded to third base.
Craig Kimbrel will pitch the bottom of the seventh inning for the National League. Daniel Murphy has replaced Dee Gordon at second base.
End 6th, American League 5-3: The National League made wholesale changes before the bottom of the sixth inning.
Francisco Rodriguez then tossed a scoreless inning, working around a walk to Adrian Beltre in the process.
Dee Gordon and Freddie Freeman ended the inning in impressive fashion. Michael Brantley grounded to the right side and Gordon made a rangy play out on the outfield grass. Freeman finished the play with an excellent stretch at first base.
Freeman, Starlin Castro, Josh Harrison, Hunter Pence and Charlie Blackmon entered the game before the inning. Paul Goldschmidt, Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gomez, Yasiel Puig and Andrew McCutchen exited.
Mid 6th, American League 5-3: Koji Uehara stranded a runner in scoring position with a big strikeout.
Scott Kazmir began the sixth inning. He struck out Giancarlo Stanton but surrendered a double to Aramis Ramirez. Yoenis Cespedes airmailed his throw back into the infield on Ramirez’s double.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and first baseman Jose Abreu combined for a nice play for the second out. Altuve made a backhanded pick while ranging in and to his right. Abreu capped the out with a good-looking pick on a throw in the dirt.
John Farrell then turned to Uehara with Ramirez on third base. Koji struck out Devin Mesoraco to end the inning. Mesoraco went down swinging at a splitter.
End 5th, American League 5-3: The American League grabbed a two-run lead in the fifth inning.
Derek Norris and Alexei Ramirez smacked back-to-back singles with one out.
Mike Trout, who delivered an RBI triple back in the first inning, hit a chopper down the third base line. Aramis Ramirez slid while attempting to make the play, but the ball traveled under his glove and into left field, allowing Norris to score the go-ahead run.
The ball was very close to being foul. Third base umpire Scott Barry had a good vantage point, though.
Trout’s double forced Pat Neshek from the game. Tyler Clippard entered, and Jose Altuve made it 5-3 with a sacrifice fly to deep left field.
A whole host of substitutions are forthcoming. Yoenis Cespedes, Jose Abreu, Brandon Moss, Michael Brantley, Adrian Beltre and Scott Kazmir are in. Mike Trout, Miguel Cabrera, Jose Bautista, Adam Jones, Josh Donaldson and Max Scherzer are out.
Mid 5th, 3-3: Max Scherzer overcame a two-out double to preserve the 3-3 tie.
Troy Tulowitzki drilled a ball to right-center field with two down. Jose Bautista fired to second base after corralling it, but Tulowitzki dived in safely. Tulo even used a little swim move to make sure he avoided Alexei Ramirez’s tag.
Pat Neshek will be the new National League pitcher in the fifth. This marks Neshek’s first All-Star Game, and it’s extra special given that it comes in his home state.
End 4th, 3-3: Zack Greinke worked an impressive fourth inning.
Greinke retired Jose Bautista, Nelson Cruz and Adam Jones in order. Cruz and Jones struck out swinging.
The subs are coming! The subs are coming!
Derek Norris will take over behind the plate for Salvador Perez. Jose Altuve will be the new second baseman with Robinson Cano exiting the contest.
Mid 4th, 3-3: Jonathan Lucroy, who was named a starter because of Yadier Molina’s injury, is making the most of his All-Star opportunity.
Lucroy hit his second RBI double of the game in the fourth inning. It came with two outs off White Sox ace Chris Sale.
Chase Utley, who doubled home the National League’s first run, was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning. Dee Gordon pinch-ran for Utley and showed his speed on Lucroy’s drive to right field, scoring all the way from first base to tie the game.
9:33 p.m., American League 3-2: Derek Jeter’s time has come.
Jeter took the field to begin the top of the fourth inning. AL manager John Farrell then sent out White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez to take his place, giving the crowd an opportunity to acknowledge Jeter.
Jeter received a standing ovation on his way back to the dugout. He tipped his cap, went into the dugout for a round of handshakes and then popped back out for one last curtain call.
Well done.
End 3rd, American League 3-2: Derek Jeter essentially locked up the MVP with his second hit in the third inning.
Alfredo Simon didn’t make it easy on Jeter. The Reds hurler looked like he was trying to get Jeter out, evidenced by the full count the at-bat went to. Jeter ultimately won the battle, however.
Jeter, as he’s done so often throughout his career, inside-outted a base hit into right field. It was a vintage Jeter swing.
Jeter took second base on a wild pitch. He was stranded there, though, as Mike Trout, Robinson Cano and Miguel Cabrera went down in order.
Trout hit a line drive to left field that hung up just long enough for Carlos Gomez. Cano struck out, and Cabrera lined to short after swinging through a meatball earlier in the at-bat.
Mid 3rd, American League 3-2: Yu Darvish had no problem breezing through a scoreless third inning.
Yasiel Puig struck out for the second time in this game. It’s been a rough 24 hours for Puig. He failed to hit a single home run in the Home Run Derby and has supplemented a weird attempt at Mike Trout’s first-inning triple with two K’s.
Troy Tulowitzki lined to left field, and Paul Goldschmidt lined to second base.
The “ooh-aah” moment of the inning came when Darvish floated a 56 mph eephus to Tulowitzki. Tulo took it for a ball off the inside corner.
Alfredo Simon will pitch the bottom of the third inning. He’ll be greeted by the man of the hour, Mr. Derek Jeter.
End 2nd, American League 3-2: Clayton Kershaw, who many feel should have started over Adam Wainwright, tossed a 1-2-3 second inning.
Kershaw retired Adam Jones on a popout to the left side before striking out Josh Donaldson with a high fastball.
The inning ended with a great barehanded play by third baseman Aramis Ramirez. Salvador Perez hit a slow roller that Ramirez charged and fielded before delivering a strong, off-balance throw.
Yu Darvish will pitch the third inning for the AL.
Mid 2nd, American League 3-2: Jon Lester got knocked around a bit in the second inning.
Lester surrendered three straight hits, including two doubles, as the National League scored two runs.
Aramis Ramirez got things going with a single into center field. Chase Utley plated him with a line drive high off the right-center field wall. It nearly left the yard, but Utley was forced to settle for a double.
Jonathan Lucroy, a good two-strike hitter, fell behind 1-2. He then yanked a cutter over Mike Trout’s head in left field for an RBI double.
Carlos Gomez popped out behind the plate in the second inning. It looked like he was trying to yell to catcher Salvador Perez to drop it, but the Royals backstop took the sensible route and made the catch.
End 1st, American League 3-0: Derek Jeter had his moment. Then, the American League went to work.
Jeter received a standing ovation at Target Field after being introduced by longtime New York Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard. Even pitcher Adam Wainwright set his glove down and applauded the Yankees captain.
Jeter then lined a double up the right field line, further increasing the cheers in Minnesota. It set the table for a big inning.
If you’re into the whole symbolism/passing the torch thing, the next moment was for you. Mike Trout, hands-down the best player in baseball, followed Jeter’s leadoff double with an RBI triple off the right field wall.
Miguel Cabrera, who has beat out Trout for the AL MVP two years in a row, ripped a two-run homer to make it 3-0.
Red Sox ace Jon Lester will pitch the second inning for the AL. The Red Sox and Cardinals coaching staffs were acknowledged on the field during the middle of the first inning.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Derek Jeter started his 14th and final All-Star Game with flair.
Andrew McCutchen hit a rocket that exploded on Jeter. The Yankees shortstop took one step to his left and laid out to make a fantastic diving stop. Jeter popped up and fired to first, where McCutchen was called safe on a bang-bang play.
First base umpire Jeff Nelson probably should have given Jeter the call. But hey, stuff happens.
McCutchen wreaked some havoc on the bases, taking second base on a wild pitch and swiping third base with two outs. Felix Hernandez successfully stranded the reigning NL MVP, though.
Yasiel Puig and Troy Tulowitzki struck out in the inning. Paul Goldschmidt ended the inning with a ground ball to third base.
8:20 p.m.: Felix Hernandez toes the rubber. The 85th edition of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game is underway.
8:18 p.m.: Rod Carew threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Had a little zip on it, too.
8:10 p.m.: Flyovers are the best, no matter how many times you see them.
If you feel otherwise, we probably wouldn’t see eye-to-eye.
8:03 p.m.: Lost in the Derek Jeter lovefest is the fact that a 40-year-old shortstop with zero range and a .647 OPS is starting a game that determines home-field advantage in the World Series.
But I digress.
7:58 p.m.:Â Standing ovation No. 1 for Derek Jeter is in the books.
Jeter was introduced as part of the starting lineups and was greeted with a big response.
If you ask me, it’s pretty fitting that Mike Trout immediately follows Jeter in the order. It makes it easy to pass that proverbial torch.
7:52 p.m.: It’s likely Jon Lester will follow starter Felix Hernandez in this game.
Lester was jogging in the outfield during player introductions. Unless he just really wanted some extra cardio, expect him to be the second American League pitcher.
7:40 p.m.: Derek Jeter delivered a pregame speech in the American League clubhouse a little while ago. The message to the other players was clear: Cherish these moments because you don’t know how many you’ll get and they go by quickly.
6:30 p.m.: Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners and Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals will start for the American League and National League, respectively.
Both pitchers will have their hands full, as the starting lineups, as usual, feature plenty of firepower.
The complete lineups for Tuesday’s All-Star Game are below.
American League
Derek Jeter, SS
Mike Trout, LF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Jose Bautista, RF
Nelson Cruz, DH
Adam Jones, CF
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Salvador Perez, C
Felix Hernandez, RHP (11-2, 2.12 ERA)
National League
Andrew McCutchen, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
Giancarlo Stanton, DH
Aramis Ramirez, 3B
Chase Utley, 2B
Jonathan Lucroy, C
Carlos Gomez, LF
Adam Wainwright, RHP (12-4, 1.83 ERA)
The talent is hardly limited to the starting lineups. Both rosters are stacked. You can view them at the link below.
Click for complete AL, NL All-Star rosters >>
6:15 p.m. ET: All eyes will be on New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter on Tuesday at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Target Field in Minnesota.
Jeter is making his 14th and final All-Star Game appearance. The 40-year-old plans to retire at the end of the season following an illustrious 20-year career that will include at least five World Series rings. Jeter truly represents everything good in baseball.
It’s been a season-long farewell tour for the Yankees captain, but Tuesday’s All-Star Game is an opportunity for the league to commemorate a special player on a national level. Jeter will bat leadoff for the American League team and is expected to receive two at-bats before being removed in the top of the fourth inning, according to AL manager (and Boston Red Sox skipper) John Farrell.
“It’s a rare and unique opportunity,” Farrell told reporters in Minnesota.. “At the same time, we are able to celebrate a player who is not only a champion, but a guy that sets the bar that I think all players should aspire to.”
Jeter, who made his first All-Star appearance in 1998, has long been an ambassador for MLB. It’s finally time for him to officially pass the torch to a generation of impressive up-and-comers, headlined by the likes of Mike Trout and Yasiel Puig.
“You’re afraid to say anything. I mean, it’s Cal Ripken,” Jeter told reporters while reflecting on his first Midsummer Classic. “Even though I’d played against him, I hadn’t really had a chance to talk to him. There are a lot of stories like that when you come to your first one. That’s why I enjoy watching guys experience it for the first time.”
This year features 31 first-time All-Stars. You can bet they — and everyone else, for that matter — will be honed in on No 2.
