MLB All-Star Game: Royals carry American League to 4-2 victory
By Jason Evans
The American League will again have home field advantage in the World Series after picking up a 4-2 victory in the 2016 MLB All-Star Game.
If the Kansas City Royals are going to make their third straight trip to the Fall Classic, they will have home field advantage for the third time as the American League wins the 2016 MLB All-Star game 4-2. The Royals will have themselves to thank as their guys drove in all four runs and Eric Hosmer was named All-Star Game MVP. Hosmer is the second Royal to be named MVP of the All-Star Game.
The NL got off to a quick start picking up the early first inning lead as Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant homered to left against Chicago White Sox starter Chris Sale. Bryant is 0-6 in his career vs Sale with six strikeouts.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
The American League came back in the second off San Francisco Giants’ starter Johnny Cueto and it was two of his former Royals’ teammates in Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez hitting two home runs in the second off Cueto. It was the first time teammates went yard in the same All-Star game since Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz in 2004.
Speaking of Big Papi, Ortiz played in his last All-Star Game, going 0-1 with a walk against Marlins ace Jose Fernandez. After Ortiz walked, Xander Bogaerts doubled and Hosmer drove in his second run of the day with a single.
The NL was able to get their second run in the fourth off Aaron Sanchez. With one out, Buster Posey walked. Carlos Gonzalez and Marcell Ozuna followed with singles to bring home the second run.
The NL certainly had chances but didn’t capitalize. In the third, Gonzalez singled and Bryce Harper doubled but Bryant would strike out vs Cole Hamels. In the fifth, Daniel Murphy reached on an infield hit and Wil Myers doubled, but Wilson Ramos would strike out to end the inning.
Next: Rays struggle to find a catcher
The American League relievers would take over in the sixth. Kelvin Herrera and Dellin Betances gave up just one hit and got three of the six outs via the strikeout.
The NL’s best chance came in the eighth vs Yankees reliever Andrew Miller. Jonathan Lucroy and Starling Marte would single and Adam Duvall would walk to load the bases. Will Harris came in and got Aledmys Diaz looking on strikes.
Orioles closer Zach Britton would shut the door in the ninth to preserve the win.