Wednesday, July 15, 2009

American League Wins Again


The American League defeated the National League 4-3 in the 2009 All-Star Game for their 12th win in the last thirteen games. The last time the National League won the All-Star Game was in the 1996 All-Star Game in Philadelphia. The American League got two runs in the first inning from Derek Jeter scoring a run off Albert Pujols' error and Josh Hamilton's RBI. The National League bounced back in the second inning with three runs, highlighted by Yadier Molina's RBI hit that eventually drove in two runs from an error. With the game tied at three in the eighth inning, Adam Jones hit a sacrifice fly that proved to be the game-winner.


This All-Star Game happened so fast, I didn't really get a chance to get a feel for the excitement. The pitching was good for the most part, which contributed to the game being quick. This game only took two hours and 31 minutes, which is the shortest time for an All-Star Game since 1988. Combine this game with the fact that the Home Run Derby wasn't exciting, this All-Star festivities was not good at all. Albert Pujols did not provide for the home fans in the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game. He did provide some exceptional defense for the National League however.


With the All-Star festivities being in St. Louis, it figured to be an exciting couple of days in baseball. St. Louis is a great baseball city but it was not appealing. The festivities last year, which happened at legendary Yankee Stadium in its final season, was very exciting. Josh Hamilton gave a great show in the Home Run Derby, and the All-Star Game went 15 innings. It was a long game last year and clutch pitching and hitting was present. This year's game didn't really have that many good pitchers. Also, I would've liked to see Tim Wakefield pitch but that never happened.

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