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NL defeats AL, highlights, more

July 12, 2023

The streak is over.

With no win since 2012, the National League was powered by a two-run home run from Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz to defeat the American League in the 2023 All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle to end its nine-game losing streak.

The 32-year-old first-time All-Star hit the homer off Felix Bautista in the eighth inning, his first All-Star Game at-bat. The NL pitchers also put on an efficient performance, limiting the AL to its lowest amount of runs since 2017.

Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s action from T-Mobile Park, along with highlights and some of the fun moments from Seattle.

2023 MLB All-Star Game box score

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H
NL	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	3	9
AL	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	7

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Elias Diaz named All-Star Game MVP

To no surprise, Diaz was named the All-Star Game MVP, becoming the first Rockies player to win the award.

He went 1-for-2 as a designated hitter, but had the biggest swing of the night with his winning two-run home run in the eighth inning. He also was incredibly happy his mom got to see it all.

Craig Kimbrel strikes out Jose Ramirez, National League wins

Craig Kimbrel came in to close the ninth inning for the National League, and Wander Franco almost tied the game but his flyball to right field fell just short of going over the wall. He then struck out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. but walked Kyle Tucker to face the hometown star Julio Rodríguez in a Hollywood-like moment.

Rodríguez was able to draw a walk to bring up Jose Ramirez, but Kimbrel struck him out for the win and end the nine-game losing streak against the American League.

Austin Riley turns incredible double play to end the eighth

With a runner on first, the American League was looking to tie the game in the eighth inning, but Austin Riley shut down the opportunity quick.

The Atlanta Braves third baseman caught a 106 mile per hour line drive off Brent Rooker and was able to catch Whit Merrifield sleeping, throwing it quickly on his knees to first for the double play and to end the inning.

Elias Diaz hits two-run homer to give NL lead

Forget the tie, Elias Diaz wants the win.

In his first All-Star Game at-bat, the Colorado Rockies catcher blasted a dinger 360 feet off the Orioles’ Felix Bautista to give the National League its first lead of the game, and possibly end the losing streak against the AL.

Hometown star Julio Rodríguez gets ovation from crowd

It’s been a fun week for Julio Rodríguez in his home stadium.

After hitting a record number of home runs in a round in the Home Run Derby Monday, Rodríguez got a standing ovation from the crowd before his first at-bat in the seventh inning. He would strike out, but it was a great treat for the Seattle fans.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hits moon shot homer, but it’s ruled foul on review; AL pitcher exits injured

We were so close to a tie game.

The Diamondbacks’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. launched a moon shot down the left field line that appeared to make it a 2-2 game, but the play went under replay review. Turns out, the ball was foul; the National League was a mere few feet away from tying the game. Instead, Gurriel Jr. settled with an infield single.

Meanwhile, AL pitcher Jordan Romano of the Blue Jays appeared to be injured on the near-home run, and was taken out of the game. He was replaced by Michael Lorenzen. AL manager Dusty Baker said Romano left with lower back tightness.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s bat goes flying

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made tons of balls fly Monday night during his Home Run Derby victory, but his bat was the one that took a fly Tuesday.

AL retakes the lead

The American League offense was pretty stagnant after scoring in the second inning, but that all changed in the sixth inning.

Salvador Perez hit a single and was followed by Brent Rooker’s double to right field to get runners on second and third. Bo Bichette then took advantage, hitting a deep fly ball out to right field to bring Perez in and give the AL a 2-1 lead.

The NL now has three innings to take the lead or tie it and force a home run derby tiebreaker.

Luis Arraez ties it for the NL

The best hitter in baseball is proving just how good he is.

After J.D. Martinez opened up the top of the fourth with a double, MLB’s batting leader Luis Arraez knocked a single to right field to bring Martinez in and tie the game up at 1-1. It was Arraez’s second hit of the game after he singled in the top of the second inning.

Yandy Díaz gets the scoring started

After a scoreless first inning for both sides, Yandy Díaz got the American League on the board after launching a 383-foot solo home run to left field to begin the scoring and give the AL a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

Seattle fans tell Shohei Ohtani ‘Come to Seattle’

Everyone knows Shohei Ohtani will be a free agent at the end of the season, and Seattle is already making its pitch for him to join the Mariners. During his first inning at-bat, the crowd was chanting “Come to Seattle.”

Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman were mic’d up while the chants were going on, and said they didn’t want to start their own chant because it would be tampering.

Adolis Garcia, Randy Arozarena start All-Star Game off with spectacular catches

How about starting off the All-Star Game with All-Star catches?

Ronald Acuna Jr. ripped a ball to right field that look destined for extra bases. But Adolis Garcia, who battled the sun, leaped up to make a spectacular catch. The next at-bat, Freddie Freeman launched a deep ball to left field, only for Randy Arozarena to make another amazing catch to get the first two outs of the game in style. Then his pose.

Arozarena got a single in the bottom of the first, and when he met Freeman at first base, the Los Angeles Dodger told him he can’t steal and get hits. Arozarena apologized before he was caught stealing second.

Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez throw out first pitch

It wouldn’t be the All-Star Game in Seattle without honoring some of the greatest Mariners to play the game. Griffey Jr., a 13-time All-Star, and Martinez, a 7-time All-Star, came out to throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Who sang the national anthem at the All-Star Game?

Singer and actress Kiana Ledé sang the national anthem.

Astros All-Stars get booed

No matter where or when it is, if you’re a Houston Astros player, expect to get booed.

When Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez were introduced in the pregame festivities, the T-Mobile Park crowd let it be known there aren’t many MLB fans that like them, even years after their cheating scandal unfolded. It’s funnier when you consider Tucker and Alvarez weren’t part of the 2017 World Series team.

What time is the MLB All-Star Game?

The 2023 MLB All-Star Game starts at 8 p.m. ET.

How to watch MLB All-Star Game 2023

MLB All-Star Game starting pitchers

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole and Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen were named as the starters for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, appropriate honors for two pitchers figuring to be in the thick of the Cy Young Award race all year.