NEW YORK — The 2013 MLB All-Star game ended with a 3-0 shutout in favor of the American League, who will now have home field advantage in this year’s World Series.
The American League pitchers were too dominant for the opposing batters, only giving up three hits and one walk, while striking out eight.
Matt Harvey started for the National League, going two innings, giving up one hit, while striking out three. He also plunked Robinson Cano in the right knee, but luckily for the New York Yankees, the x-rays came back negative.
Max Scherzer started for the American League, throwing a perfect inning, while striking out one.
In the top of the fourth inning, Jose Bautista hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Miguel Cabrera from third. Patrick Corbin, the pitcher who gave up that run, ended up losing the game, as the National League provided no run support.
In the next inning, Cliff Lee surrendered the second run of the game, coming off a J.J. Hardy fielder’s choice, which scored Adam Jones.
In the eighth, Jason Kipnis hit in the last run of the game, hitting an RBI double off of Craig Kimbrel.
Then, in the bottom of the eighth, Mariano Rivera made his way to the mound. With his signature ‘Sandman’ entrance and 45,186 fans cheering for the greatest closer of all time, Rivera made his way from the bullpen and onto the field.
Then, Rivera threw a perfect eighth inning.
But why did American League coach Jim Leyland pitch Mariano in the eighth and not the ninth to close out the game?
Well, Leyland was afraid that if he waited to pitch Rivera in the ninth and not the eighth, the National League would end up scoring four runs, and closing out the game in the top of the ninth. If that happened, Rivera would have not closed out the game, let alone make his last appearance in the All-Star game.
When reminiscing about his last inning ever in the All-Star game, he told Erin Andrews, “It was tough. It was special,” an emotional Rivera said. “Seeing the fans sharing and both teams standing out of the dugout, managers, coaches players, priceless.” (ESPN).
In the top of the ninth, thanks to a missed dive by Carlos Gomez, Prince Fielder ended up hustling to third with a triple. He failed to score, even though there were no outs when this hit occurred.
In the bottom of the ninth, Joe Nathan entered to close out the game. Nathan got two quick outs, both of which were strike outs, but then gave up a double to Paul Goldschmidt.
With the National League hoping for a two-out rally, Pedro Alvarez stepped up to the plate. Alvarez worked the count to 3-2, but ended up popping up to the second baseman.
Thus, the game was over. The MVP of the game went to Mariano, who pitched one inning, keeping the game 3-0 in favor of the American League. Rivera also was given keys to a blue Corvette Stingray, courtesy of Chevrolet.
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