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After three consecutive losses to the National League in the Midsummer Classic, the American League finally behaved like the superior league that it is with a 3-0 victory at Citi Field in New York.
The A.L. scored solo runs in the fourth, fifth and eighth innings. Baltimore Oriole Chris Davis had a hand in the first run, singling Miguel Cabrera over to third base so that Jose Bautista could knock him in in with a sacrifice fly. The run in the fifth was all Orioles, as Adam Jones doubled and then came in to score on a ground out by J.J. Hardy. It looked like Hardy might have hit into a double play but he hustled to first and beat the throw. In the eighth inning Jason Kipnis doubled in Salvador Perez. Kipnis moved to third base on a wild pitch with Manny Machado at the plate, but Manny struck out in his only appearance.
As for the National League, they had just three hits on the night. Hometown hero David Wright singled, Carlos Beltran singled, and Paul Goldschmidt doubled.
It's hard to make note of the pitchers as none pitched more than two innings and most were pretty good. It's worth noting that Mariano Rivera pitched in the 8th inning, not the 9th. This was because manager Jim Leyland didn't want to risk using another pitcher in the 8th who blew the lead meaning that the A.L. team wouldn't even pitch in the bottom of the 9th. Rivera got a very nice standing ovation as he ran in from the bullpen for his last All Star Game. The Citi Field PA guys played Enter Sandman and everything. Rivera pitched a perfect inning with two ground outs and a hard hit line out to left field.
Here is a breakdown on the Orioles in the 2013 All Star Game:
Chris Davis started the game at first base, batting cleanup. He went 1-for-3 with a strikeout. He was involved in eight plays on the field and didn't botch a single one.
Adam Jones batted seventh and started the game in center field. He went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. He struck out twice. He made two plays in the field.
J.J. Hardy started the game at shortstop. He went 0-for-2 but did have an RBI when he reached on a fielder's choice. He made two plays in the field, one of which was a nice play of a grounder that he threw over to Davis for the out.
Manny Machado came into the game as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the sixth inning. As already described, he struck out in his only at bat. He only made one play at third base, but it was a sweet one. Check it out:
Chris Tillman, as expected, did not play. According to Jim Leyland he was being held back for extra innings. You'll get 'em next time, Chris!
All in all not a bad night for the Orioles, but not a spectacular one either. Now we can get back to baseball and hopefully an Orioles team that contends in the second half.