| AL Wins All-Star Game |
| By Sally Haase July 17, 2013 NEW YORK, NY—American League pitchers combined for a three hit shutout as they snapped a three game losing streak to the National League in the All-Star game. The American League was able to put three runs on the board off the bats of Jose Bautista, J.J. Hardy, and Jason Kipnis. The runs were enough and AL manager Jim Leyland took advantage of all the closers and set up men in his bullpen to shut down the NL. There was one pitcher that Leyland made sure he got into the game- Mariano Rivera. Rivera has been on a farewell tour this season and it will be his last all-star appearance. With the game in his team’s state, the ovation was huge when “Enter Sandman” started and Rivera took the mound alone for his final all-star moment. Both benches gave the future Hall of Fame closer a standing ovation while an emotional Rivera tipped his cap to the fans and peers. Rivera was not given the chance to close the game and earn the save because of the fear of the AL losing the lead and never getting Rivera in the game. Rivera was used in the eighth as a set up man for Joe Nathan, who earned the save. The perfect eighth Rivera pitched was enough for the MVP award. The perfect inning added to his all-star streak of nine scoreless innings. The AL win helps any team still in the playoff race with the eventual AL champion given home field advantage in the World Series. There was a bit of a scare for New York Yankees fans when second baseman Robinson Cano was hit on the knee by NL starter Matt Harvey in the first inning. Cano left the game and had an x-ray taken and was negative. The second half of the Major League Baseball season starts up on Friday. |
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