It took Brock Holt a matter of seconds to make an impact on the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
After pinch-running for American League leadoff hitter Mike Trout in the seventh inning Tuesday night, Holt waited just one pitch before taking off for second base on a delayed steal. He slid in safely, becoming the fourth Boston Red Sox player ever to steal a base in an All-Star Game.
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Holt, Boston’s only All-Star representative this season, didn’t remain on second for long. Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who came to the plate after Trout walked, capped off an eight-pitch at-bat by smoking a double off the wall in right-center field, scoring Holt and giving the AL a 4-2 lead.
The Red Sox utility man stayed in the game, taking over in left field in the bottom of the seventh as New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner shifted over to Trout’s previous post in center.
Holt also logged one at-bat in the ballgame, which the AL went on to win 6-3, going down on strikes in the top of the ninth against Cincinnati Reds fireballer Aroldis Chapman.
“As soon as I made the team, I kind of figured I would face Chapman,” Holt told reporters after the game, via the Boston Herald. “I was trying to get mentally prepared for that about a week ago, but it still didn’t help me out.”
Four of Chapman’s five pitches to Holt touched 100 mph, including three that clocked in a 101 mph.
“Last year I faced him and foul-tipped the ball,” Holt said with a laugh, via the Herald. “Took a step backwards this time. Didn’t even make contact. But it’s fun facing him. He’s one of the best closers in the game. He wanted to light up the radar gun in front of the home fans.”
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@RedSox
