Fisher shines as U.S. team tops World in Futures Game

MIAMI » Houston Astros prospect Derek Fisher scored the first run and hit a two-run double Sunday to lead a well-balanced United States side past the World team 7-6 in the AllStar Futures Game.

By the fourth inning the U.S. team had nine hits, one by every starter. The World team had only one baserunner until the fifth, and by then the score was 7-0.

The U.S. team won for the seventh time in the past eight years. The showcase of top minor league prospects included 16 firstround picks.

Brent Honeywell of the Rays, the only pitcher to go more than one inning, struck out four in two scoreless innings and earned the victory and MVP award. He was the first of 10 pitchers for the United States, and the group combined for 11 strikeouts and walked two.

The World team scored twice in the ninth before A.J. Puk of the Athletics got the final out for a save.

With the major league trade deadline approaching, the game drew plenty of scouts, and they saw Fisher walk and score in the first on a single by Nick Senzel of the Reds. Kyle Tucker, also with the Astros, hit an RBI double.

Chance Sisco of the Orioles tripled and scored in the U.S. team’s two-run second inning. Lewis Brinson of the Brewers doubled home a run.

Josh Naylor of the Padres drove in the World team’s first run with a single in the fifth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays, at 18 the youngest player in the game, singled twice and scored twice.

Yadier Alvarez of the Dodgers pitched the first inning, allowed one run and took the loss.

Second baseman Brendan Rodgers and first baseman Ryan McMahon, both of the Rockies, made fine defensive plays for the U.S. team.