Royals haunt skipper as AL captures Classic
SAN DIEGO – This must have looked all too familiar to Terry Collins. A pair of Royals home runs and a bevy of power arms coming out of the bullpen was the magic formula for Ned Yost as the American League beat the National League, 4-2, in Major League Baseball’s 87th All-Star Game Tuesday night at Petco Park. The victory gives the AL home-field advantage in this year’s World Series, something that served the Royals well last October. Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez both homered in the third inning against NL starter Johnny Cueto, who beat the Mets in Game 2 in Kansas City in last year’s Fall Classic. Looking to protect a two-run lead after five innings, Yost went to Kevin Herrera, Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, Will Harris and Zach Britton for the final four innings to lock down the win. “You don’t win the world championship without having a good team,” Collins, the NL skipper, said of being bested once again by members of the Royals. “They have great players and Ned does a great job. It was a lot of fun. We had a chance, a big chance and we were one swing away from making it a great game.” Hosmer took home MVP honors, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in his first All-Star Game. “I never thought about becoming the MVP,” Hosmer said. “I just wanted to soak up the whole experience.” David Ortiz went 0-for-1 with a walk in his 10th and final All-Star Game, receiving a huge ovation from the crowd after being pinch-run for in the third inning. It wasn’t as memorable as the All-Star sendoffs that Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter received, but Ortiz insisted earlier in the day he wasn’t looking for any lasting moment. “I already have moments, real good moments,” Ortiz said before the game when asked if he was expecting special recognition. “I already feel blessed to be a part of this All-Star Game.” Kris Bryant’s first-inning homer against AL starter Chris Sale gave the NL a quick 1-0 lead. But after firing a scoreless first, Cueto fell apart in the second, causing more stress for Collins only nine months after the righthander helped the Royals beat the Mets.
Hosmer belted a one-out solo shot to left to tie the game, then after Mookie Betts singled, Perez launched a two-run homer, giving the AL a 3-1 lead.
“I felt like a proud papa there in the second inning after those two guys gave us the lead,” Yost said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been that proud of two players in a moment like that. That was really special for me.”
Ortiz drew a one-out walk in the third against Jose Fernandez, then was replaced by pinch-runner Edwin Encarnacion, a plan Yost shared with him before the game.
“What he didn’t know is I wanted the team to go out and meet him,” Yost said. As Ortiz made his way off the field, the entire AL team emptied out of its dugout to meet Ortiz, who exchanged hugs with each of his teammates.
“It was a great moment for me, to be there with my guys,” Ortiz said.
Robinson Cano was on hand for Jeter and Rivera’s final All-Star appearances, so he was thrilled to be sharing a clubhouse with Ortiz for the Red Sox star’s last AllStar turn.
“You had the best closer in the game, the best shortstop and now the best designated hitter ever to play the game,” Cano said. “It was sad to see Mariano and Derek leave and now it’s sad to see David go. At the same time, I’m glad that I’m here for it.”
Hosmer drove in Encarnacion later in the inning, his RBI single pushing the AL lead to 4-1. Marcell Ozuna’s RBI single against Aaron Sanchez trimmed the lead to two, but pitching would dominate the rest of the night.
Drew Pomeranz, Julio Teheran, Max Scherzer and Jon Lester kept the AL off the board through the seventh, while Jose Quntana, Kelvin Herrera and Betances did the same against the NL.
Pitching in his first All-Star Game, Miller made things interesting in the eighth, loading the bases with two out. Yost called in Harris to get the final out, which he did by freezing Aledmys Diaz for a called third strike.
“I’d like to have pitched better, but it was still nice to get a chance to experience it,” Miller said of his first All-Star Game. “I’m glad Will came in and did the job in a big situation.”