2015 MLB All Star Game Recap: Mike Trout Goes Deep, Wins Game MVP
The American League All-Stars defeated the National League All-Stars, 6-3, securing home-field advantage in the World Series at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout took home MVP honors as hit a homer in the first inning off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke, according to ESPN. This was significant because coming into the game Greinke is having a 35.2 scoreless innings streak. Trout also made history with that home run, becoming the sixth player in All-Star game history to hit a leadoff home run. The last player to do it? Bo Jackson in the 1989 All-Star Game:
Mike Trout is the 6th player to hit a leadoff HR in the #ASG. First since Bo Jackson in 1989. Pretty good company. pic.twitter.com/aTS6hw9etV
— FOX Sports Live (@FOXSportsLive) July 15, 2015
The National League responded as St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta delivered a two-out RBI single to tie the game at 1. Reigning World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner pitched in the fourth and got into a two-on, two-out jam. He got out of it by getting Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve to ground into a fielder's choice.
Reigning National League MVP Clayton Kershaw was next on the mound and wasn't his MVP self. After a double by Mike Trout to start the inning, Texas Rangers Prince Fielder smacked a two-out single to score Trout to give the AL the lead. Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain chipped in with a double, scoring Albert Pujols to extend the lead 3-1.
The most exciting moment of the night was New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom who struck out the side on 10 pitches. According to MLB, it is the first time in All-Star Game history that a pitcher struck out the side on 10 or fewer pitches.
The NL crept a little closer in the bottom of the sixth as Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen crushed a home run off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer to close the gap to 3-2. It was the first time in All-Star game history that both starting leadoff men homered in the game:
McCutchen shoots first pitch of 6th inning into upper deck in LF. First time in ASG history that both starting leadoff men homered. — Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 15, 2015
Baltimore Orioles star Manny Machado laced a double off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Francisco Rodriguez in the seventh. Fielder added a Sac fly RBI to give the AL a 5-2 lead. Minnesota Twins third baseman Brian Dozier added an insurance run in the eighth, hitting a homer off Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Mark Melancon.
Hard thrower Aroldis Chapman came in the game in the top of the ninth, and boy, he threw hard. According to Jeff Passan, most of his pitches were over 100:
Aroldis Chapman threw 14 pitches. They went: 99, 101, 100, 101, 101, 102, 103, 102, 103, 102, 101, 98, 100, 102. Struck out the side. Wow. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 15, 2015
Minnesota Twins closer Glenn Perkins allowed a leadoff triple to Ryan Braun in the ninth. Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford flied to left, scoring Braun to make it 6-3. That would be the final run of the game as Perkins got the last three outs.
The American League has won the last three All-Star games. Next years MLB All Star Game will take place at Petco Park in San Diego, California.
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