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The 2017 All-Star Game in Miami has now come and gone, and it was a doozy! The American League beat the National League 2-1 in extra innings. The Mariners’ Robinson Cano hit a go-ahead home run off the Cubs’ Wade Davis in the top of the 10th inning, securing the AL victory. Cano was rewarded with the All-Star Game MVP award for his efforts (he picked the Corvette).
And guess who drove in the other RBI for the AL team? Our boy Miguel Sano, of course! It was on a huge solo blast that put all of Aaron Judge’s giant dingers in the Home Run Derby to shame. TO SHAME.
Just kidding! Sano actually hit a funny little blooper hit in a perfect spot that none of the NL fielders could get to in time.
Miguel Sano hits an RBI for the first run of the #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/KswfTslK3t
— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB) July 12, 2017
It still counts!
The Twins, of course, also had two pitchers in the game: Brandon Kintzler and Ervin Santana. It almost felt like the two did a little bit of a Freaky Friday thing where they changed bodies, because Kintzler was the one who threw a perfect 5th inning, and then Santana relieved him (I know), pitching the 6th inning and giving up a solo home run to Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina. So yeah, Ervin Santana was the only AL pitcher to give up a run in the game.
But that’s fine, because the All-Star Game doesn’t actually matter for anything except fun. It doesn’t determine home advantage for the World Series anymore. That made for some cool stuff like:
- Alex Rodriguez, who is now an adorable broadcaster for FOX sports, roaming the field and interviewing players.
- Pat Neshek getting to pitch the 2nd inning for the NL team. He gave up one hit, but that was it.
- Joe Buck literally interviewing players on the field (via super tiny walkie talkies in their hats or whatever they call such modern marvels these days) WHILE the game was being played. Again, this wasn’t annoying because this game does not matter for anything, really.
- Nelson Cruz whipping out his cell phone and asking opposing catcher Yadier Molina to take a picture of him and home plate umpire Joe West when he came up to bat.
- Joe West calling a balk on Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen (lol).
It was a little boring at times, and to be quite honest, I didn’t watch the final two outs because I really wanted to see Stephan Colbert’s jokes tonight about... things. However, I liked the laid-back style of the game now that it really doesn’t matter for anything. It made it feel more like a celebration.
What did you think?
P.S.:
Did anyone else realize this is what Brandon Kintxler’s hair looks like?
Winners! pic.twitter.com/rZd2D1MY5e
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) July 12, 2017