The Colorado Rockies’ Elias Díaz was a surprise hero for the National League on Tuesday when he hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning of the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
SEATTLE — The MLB Summer Showcase of the sport’s biggest stars says American League vs. National League. The NL players are trying to end a nine-year losing streak against their AL counterparts in the MLB All-Star Game — and after falling behind for most of the contest, they went in two runs to a home run from Elías Díaz in game eight in the lead inning.
The American League came into play first with a home run in the second inning by Yandy Díaz. In the fourth half, the National League equalized a 1-1 draw with JD Martinez in doubles and Luis Arráez in singles. The AL regained the lead in the sixth through a stall by Bo Bichette after Salvador Perez and Brent Rooker hit base. In the seventh round, it briefly looked like the NL was tied 2-2, but then a supposed home run by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was called a foul.
Other stars of the night included two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, who was greeted with shouts of “Come to Seattle!” ahead of his two at-bats and homeland hero Julio Rodríguez, who got rousing cheers and a chant of his own upon entering the game in game six.
Ninth Inning:
ZC: The last time the National League won the All-Star Game was in 2012 — when more current players were involved than you might think. Justin Verlander had to accept the defeat for the AL. Clayton Kershaw and Craig Kimbrel, both 2023 All-Stars, pitched for the NL.
In the top of the ninth play against Pablo Lopez, Juan Soto and Nick Castellanos reached base with singles, but the NL hitters didn’t get any crucial runs as a result.
ZC: If the NL holds out, keep that in mind This lightning-fast double play is based on a line drive by Austin Riley and Pete Alonso. That could prevent us (or prevent us, depending on your point of view) from watching a tie-break home run derby.
Craig Kimbrel came into play trying to secure entry into the National League. After two quick outs, local nemesis Kyle Tucker came to the plate, and Kimbrel joined him to put the crucial run on base…and roar “Ju-li-o!” from Julio Rodríguez at bat. Songs followed.
ZC: Mariners fans booed the Astros players all night. Right there, they booed Kyle Tucker, but then roared when he left to put Julio Rodriguez on the plate as a potential winning run.
Rodríguez walked to put the winning run on base and put José Ramírez on the plate.
Eighth inning: NL 3, AL 2
Pitched by Felix Bautista, Nick Castellanos made a walk and advanced to second with a wild pitch before Elías Díaz hit one from the park and gave the National League their first lead of the night – and a shot at their first all- Star Game win since 2012. Three outs around a Will Smith walk rounded out the inning.
ZC: Midfielder Nick Castellanos and the Rockies All-Star unite to lead NL to victory…that wouldn’t have been on my prediction list.
HK: That would be the first NL win since 2012… that’s my thought.
In the bottom half of the inning, Josh Hader conceded a leadoff single to Whit Merrifield Jr. before triggering a flyout and a double-play to send the ball into the ninth round.
Seventh inning: AL 2, NL 1
For a few moments, it seemed like the game was tied again thanks to a home run by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. against Jordan Romano. Instead, the hit was counted as a foul. Michael Lorenzen then replaced Romano, who retired with lower back strains, on the mound for the AL. Gurriel hit a single and Geraldo Perdomo made a walk, but then back-to-back outs ended the threat.
With Camilo Doval on the field, the end of the seventh round was marked by a series of boos for Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker, immediately followed by cheers and chants for Julio Rodríguez. Doval brought them both out before José Ramírez hit a double and a lineout late in the inning.
Sixth inning: AL 2, NL 1
Homeland hero and Home Run Derby star Julio Rodríguez ran into midfield before game six and was greeted with ebullient cheers and a “Ju-li-o!” singing from the crowd. The AL made several defensive substitutions as Yennier Cano took the mound.
With two outs, pinch-hitter Jorge Soler got to base from an error, and then Austin Riley hit a full-count single to put the runners in the corners. But a groundout by Ozzie Albies ended the NL half of the inning.
The AL got some action on the basepaths in the bottom half of the innings against Alexis Diaz, with a single from Salvador Perez and a ground-rule double from Brent Rooker. A sacrificial flight by Bo Bichette then ensured the evening in the second run of the AL.
Fifth inning: AL 1, NL 1
Early in the fifth round, Carlos Estévez was on the mound for the AL and worked quickly with three straight outs. In the bottom half, Justin Steele also moved quickly, allowing Austin Hays a single but otherwise throwing out three Rangers.
Fourth inning: AL 1, NL 1
George Kirby took over the ball for the AL in the fourth round and was greeted with loud cheers from the home crowd. JD Martinez then recoded his second hit of the game with a double. Two batters later, Luis Arráez hit his second single of the game to set the first heat of the National League.
With two outs, Arráez then tried to steal and was initially considered safe, but the decision was overturned and the NL half of the inning was over.
The “Come to Seattle” chants rang out again at the end of the inning when Ohtani came up against NL pitcher Alex Cobb at plate. Ohtani went for a walk and then advanced to second with a wild pitch and third with a flyout. But that was all because a groundout ended the inning.
Third inning: AL 1, NL 0
Sonny Gray substituted for Nathan Eovaldi and after two quick outs conceded a walk to Freddie Freeman. A strikeout by Mookie Betts ended the top half of the inning and left the NL scoreless.
Josiah Gray then took over the mound for the NL and recorded a 1-2-3 inning.
Second inning: AL 1, NL 0
JD Martinez led the second inning with a single from Nathan Eovaldi, who substituted for Cole for the AL, and moved up to second two batters later with a single from Luis Arráez. But that was all, as Eovaldi made quick work of the next two batters.
At the end of the second round, Yandy Díaz put the American League on point with a solo home run against NL pitcher Mitch Keller.
First inning: 0-0
Things started with flair as both Ronald Acuña Jr. and Freddie Freeman hit deep fly balls from AL starter Gerrit Cole, only to be thwarted by outfielders Adolis Garcia and Randy Arozarena, respectively.
HK: Very quickly, we’re having a demonstration of why the All-Star break needs to include skill contests — particularly defensive skill contests.
As the AL’s second batter, Shohei Ohtani was immediately greeted with chants of “Come to Seattle” from the packed crowd at T-Mobile Park. Ohtani edged out NL starter Zac Gallen but sentiment remains.
HK: Did you plan that? What remarkable coordination he managed on his first shot – and with such a clear pronunciation.
The first hit of the night belonged to Randy Arozarena, who hit a single into left field…before he was caught stealing.
Cole said after his start, “Lots of adrenaline for a bullpen day.”
How did he feel about the back-to-back fast home runs early in the game?
“You have to trust your defense. “I mean, I’m here to throw strikes,” said Cole. “I was a little more worried about Freddies than Ronalds but either way, yes you have to trust your defense.” There are world-class guys out there running the ball down. So I think it worked out great.”