All Star Game 2018: AL Wins 8-6 in Extras
For many D.C. baseball fans, July 17, 2018 will be a night to remember. The first MLB All-Star Game in the city in 49 years became reality after three years of preparation when the commissioner made the announcement on Opening Day 2015 that Nationals Park would host the All-Star game in 2018.
As for the actual game, though, the night was full of stars. This game broke the record for the most home runs in All-Star game history with 10, breaking the previous of 6. Almost every run in the game was scored off a home run.
The scoring started in the top of the second inning when Yankees’ outfielder Aaron Judge absolutely crushed a solo home run into left field of hometown hero Max Scherzer. In the top of the third inning, Angels’ outfielder Mike Trout also hit a solo home run to left center field off of Mets’ pitcher Jacob deGrom, making it 2-0 AL. Then, in the bottom of that inning, Cubs’ catcher Willson Contreras hit a solo home run into left field off Rays’ pitcher Blake Snell. There would be no home runs until Rockies’ shortstop Trevor Story hit one in the seventh inning, which was a solo homer hit into left field off of Astros’ pitcher Charlie Morton. In the top of the 8th inning, Mariners’ shortstop Jean Segura hit a three-run homer into left center field of Brewers’ pitcher Josh Hader, making it 5-2 American League. Things started looking grim for the NL, but in the bottom of the 8th, Brewers’ outfielder Christian Yelich hit a solo homer into center field off of Morton. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Reds’ second baseman Scooter Gennett hit a 2-run home run into right field off of Mariners’ pitcher Edwin Diaz. In the tenth inning, two Astros went back-to-back to make it 7-5. Third baseman Alex Bregman hit one into left center, outfielder George Springer hit a solo home run into right center. Both of these home runs went off Dodgers’ pitcher Ross Stripling. The only non-home run scoring play was when a run scored on Indians’ outfielder Michael Brantley’s sacrifice fly. The NL was not finished yet, when in the bottom of the 10th inning, Reds’ first baseman Joey Votto hit a solo home run into to right center field off of Blue Jays’ pitcher J.A. Happ. The AL won the game 8-6 in 10 innings.
The winning pitcher was Diaz, the loss will be credited to Stripling, and the save will go to Happ. The MVP of the game was Alex Bregman, who hit the game winning home run.
For most D.C. baseball fans, this is a memory they will never forget, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
