NL All-Stars Break Streak

Would the streak ever stop? Many National League players were tired of hearing about it. Since Bud Selig made the game "mean something", the NL has never held home field advantage for the World Series.

Until last night when the NL scored a 3-1 victory over the American League.

McCann collects Ted Williams Award
as the 2010 All-Star Game MVP.

The pitching was spectacular as bats for both teams were quiet. Very quiet. One hit, a three-run double by Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann in the top of the seventh, decided the affair.

Or did it?

Yes, McCann took home the Ted Williams Award as the MVP, but there were five critical events within one inning that led to McCann's knock that presented the game to the NL.We'll start in the bottom of the sixth with the AL batting.

Phillips clearly blocks Andrus' foot
from second base.

Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halliday has been brought in to pitch. The New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter promptly singled and AL manager Joe Girardi sent Texas Rangers up and coming star shortstop Elvis Andrus to pinch run for the Yankee captain. With Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko at the plate, Andrus attempts to steal as Konerko goes down swinging. McCann double clutched as he threw the ball toward second base. Andrus had to be safe.

Until he slid past the bag and second baseman Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds applies the tag to complete the "strike 'em out, throw 'em out". Important play #1.

Important play #2. With Andrus eliminated on the basepaths, Another Ranger, Josh Hamilton singled off Halliday. Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel made a pitching change and elected to go with Washington Nationals closer Matt Capps. I was concerned especially when I saw that Big Papi, aka David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox, was going to hit instead of Vladamir Guerrero, yet another Ranger in this game.

My first thought was this: "Why wasn't Manuel having Cincinnati Reds lefty specialist Arthur Rhodes at least warming up?"

Capps retires Ortiz in the bottom of
sixth when Ortiz was the tying run.

Manuel stayed with Capps to face the lefty Ortiz. Oh-oh. Not a good matchup here. The last pitch Capps launched at Big Papi was arguably the best single pitch of the game. A moving fastball that started out going right at Ortiz until the last three feet or so. Capps' pitch broke in and nailed the inside corner for strike three with Big Papi looking in amazement and disgust.

I was absolutely in awe of that pitch. Going inside on a lefty is usually asking for trouble especially if you're a righty hurler. The K ended the sixth and the NL still trailed by a 1-0 deficit.

Rolen's first-to-third move sparked
the NL's three-run 7th.

Important play #3. Top of the seventh and Cincinnati Reds third baseman Scott Rolen singled up the middle with one out after Reds teammate Joey Votto had grounded out. The next batter was St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday and he singled to center. Rolen decided to challenge seven-time Gold Glove and "hometown" rep Torii Hunter. Success as Rolen goes from first to third on Holliday's single. This ignited the NL bench Girardi removed his Yankee pitcher Phil Hughes for Chicago White Sox reliever Matt Thorton.

But the NL were not quite finished with unheralded plays yet.

After surrendering a walk to Byrd
and the game winning double to
McCann, Girardi removes Thorton.

Important play #4. With the NL having Rolen at third and Holliday at first and now two outs die to Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Chris Young popping out, the Chicago Cubs lone representative Marlon Byrd cam to the plate. Byrd quickly dug himself an 0-2 hole against Thorton. The next three pitches from Thorton were balls and Byrd had worked an 0-2 into a full count. Two more foul balls from Byrd to set up the eighth pitch of the at-bat. Pitch #8 was a ball and Byrd had worked a walk.

That would set the stage for McCann to perform the only three-run scoring hit that wasn't a homer in ASG history. But there was one last play Byrd and Ortiz would be involved in during the bottom of the ninth.

Important play #5. Ortiz lead off the bottom of the ninth with a screeching single into right off of Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathon Broxton. An ailing Adrian Beltre of the Boston Red Sox was permitted to hit despite a hamstring issue. Beltre whiffed on a pitch high and in which would set up Byrd.

Toronto Blue Jays backstop John Buck took the first three pitches from Broxton before he could deliver a strike. Buck had the green light on a 3-0 pitch and never really saw it. Nor the next pitch to make the count full. On the next pitch, Buck sent a floater toward Byrd in right. Byrd had been playing deep with the two run lead and had a long way to get to Buck's blooper. The ball fell harmlessly in front of Byrd and Buck had a single...but there was still a problem.

Furcal stretches for throw from Byrd
to force Ortiz at second.

Ortiz was stuck in determining if Byrd was going to catch the ball and did not venture far off first. When the ball dropped, Ortiz attempted to advance to second only to be nailed by Byrd with a whirling throw to second to a waiting Dodger shortstop Rafael Furcal covering. Two outs and once again, base running proved critical. This was the third instance in three innings (Andrus, Rolen, Ortiz). All of those benefited the NL.

Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler flied out to Young and the streak was over.

Girardi was criticized for not using his own player, third baseman Alex Rodriguez, in the ninth inning. I'm sure that will be revisited many times over the next three months...and even longer if the NL World Series rep wins a seven-game series. All the critics must remember this. Managing an All-Star Game is much harder. You want to make sure every player gets a chance to play. Plus, you have to develop strategy while giving every player that chance.

First off, (soapbox, please) despite being for home field advantage, it's still an exhibition. I thought making the ASG be for that was always ridiculous. It's a game for the fans. That's it. Hopefully, the next commissioner will re-visit that issue.

With that said, is it possible that the NL can start a streak of its own? Who knows but with all the young pitchers Charlie Manuel trotted out to the hill last night, I can see a streak starting.