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For the first time since 2012, the National League defeated the American League in the MLB All-Star Game.
The National League squad came away with a 3-2 win over the American League in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game Tuesday night. The win snapped a decade-long losing streak for the NL, who narrowed their all-time series deficit to 44-47-2.
Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arráez and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez helped the NL squad get off to a strong start, finishing with a pair of 2-for-2 performances at the plate. Martinez hit a leadoff double in the fourth inning, and Arráez knocked in an RBI single to bring him home.
However, Colorado Rockies catcher Elías Díaz ended up as the hero for the NL. Díaz blasted out the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning to clinch the victory for the NL All-Star team. He was subsequently named the 2023 All-Star Game MVP.
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz and Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette drove in the American League’s only two runs of the game. Diaz sent a solo home run into the stands in the second inning, while Bichette secured a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.
Back-and-Forth All Night Long
Neither team managed to stake their claim in the game during the first inning. The top of the National League order went down 1-2-3 without landing a runner on base. In the bottom of the first inning, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena knocked a two-out single into left field. Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim caught Arozarena stealing in the subsequent at-bat to retire the side.
In the top of the second, Martinez and Arráez each chipped in with a hit to give the National League two runners on base. However, Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi secured a strikeout and groundout to strand both runs. Yandy Diaz turned up the heat for the American League in the bottom of the inning. Facing off against Pittsburgh Pirates ace Mitch Keller, Diaz belted a ball 383 feet for a solo home run.
The AL strikes first!
Yandy Díaz with a solo shot in the 2nd! @RaysBaseball pic.twitter.com/6paRKhXkaN
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 12, 2023
The NL responded two innings later. Once again, Martinez and Arráez came through with back-to-back hits for the National League. This time, however, Martinez led off the inning with a double into left field, allowing Arráez to bring him home with a knock into right. Arráez was caught stealing second two at-bats later, keeping the score tied at 1-1.
Not to be outdone, the American League reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez led off with a single into right field. He then advanced to third on a ground rule double from Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker. Perez eventually scored on a sacrifice fly from Bichette, and the AL squad went up 2-1.
Elías Díaz Etches His Name Into All-Star Game History Books
As the game continued to wind down, the National League needed a breakthrough on the bats to complete their comeback. Enter Elías Díaz into the game. Díaz, filling in for Marlins designated hitter Jorge Soler, stepped into the batter’s box in the bottom of eighth inning. Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos had already led off the side with a walk, putting the tying run on base for Díaz to drive in.
Díaz went above and beyond in his at-bat. With the count at 2-2, he sent a ball flying over the left field fence for a two-run shot. The National League had jumped out to a 3-2 lead, and the rest was history.
Elias Díaz just flipped this #AllStarGame on its head! pic.twitter.com/a676EZsZ53
— MLB (@MLB) July 12, 2023
The American League put up some resistance at the plate in the final two innings, but they could not put the pieces together to complete a comeback. Blue Jays second baseman Whit Merrifield hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth inning, but he was sat right back down on a double play two at-bats later. In the final inning, the AL squad landed two runners on base via back-to-back walks.
Nevertheless, Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel kept both runners at bay to secure the save. Kimbrel sat down Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez on a swinging strikeout to clinch the victory for the National League.
The Senior Circuit reigns supreme. #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/SJtFHTH7VJ
— MLB (@MLB) July 12, 2023
With the All-Star break coming to a close, the MLB will return to its regular season action Friday. All 30 teams will return to action as they kick off the second half of the 2023 season.
