The MLB All-Star Game took place at Nationals Park on Tuesday night, and it sure did not lack excitement as the best players in the world put on a show by hitting a Midsummer Classic record 10 home runs in the American League’s 8-6 victory.
The first home run of the night came in the top of the second inning when New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge launched a solo shot off of Washington Nationals ace and reigning two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim then got in on the action in the third inning when he went yard off of baseball’s ERA leader, Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets.
It was then the NL’s turn to get on the board in the bottom of the third inning, thanks to Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras hitting the first pitch he saw off Tampa Bay Rays breakout star Blake Snell over the wall in left field to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The scoring picked up in the bottom of the seventh inning as Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story hit a solo homer off of Houston Astros right-hander Charlie Morton to tie the game.
What looked to be the big blow of the game came off of the bat of Seattle Mariners shortstop Jean Segura in the eighth inning, as he delivered a three-run homer off Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader.
That didn’t end up being the game-winning hit, however, because the NL struck back in the ninth inning. Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett hit a two-run shot against Mariners closer Edwin Diaz, sending the game into extra innings.
The AL pulled in front for good in the 10th though, and unfortunately, it came at the expense of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling. Pitching in his second inning of work, Stripling gave up back-to-back home runs to Alex Bregman and George Springer of the Houston Astros, sparking World Series flashbacks.
Reds first baseman Joey Votto hit the 10th and final home run of the night in the bottom half of the inning, although the AL was able to hang on for the victory.
And though they did not join the home run fun, Matt Kemp and Manny Machado had a great interaction at second base after Kemp led off the inning with a double.
The MLB All-Star Game now shifts to Progressive Field in 2019, where the Cleveland Indians will serve as the host team.
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