The Prince is King

Don't look now, but the National League has won two straight All Star Games. Prince Fielder smashed a 3-run homer off of Texas Ranger lefty C.J. Wilson in the bottom of the 4th and that would be all the offense the National League pitching staff would need as they defeated the American League 5-1. Washington Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard earned the win for the National League by picking up the last out in the top of the 4th even though he gave a hit to the only batter he faced. Fortunately for him the Houston Astros ONLY All Star, Hunter Pence, came up throwing from left field and just threw an absolute strike to Brian McCann. The ball never bounced and Jose Bautista, who was trying to score from second on the play, was out by a mile. This was a huge play as the game was 1-0 at the time. So instead of potentially being down 2-0 and with the American League still at bat, the National League got to take their hacks against Wilson, and the result was a home run off the top of the left-center field wall by Fielder. So yeah, even though the Astros are the worst team in baseball, as far as I'm concerned, Hunter Pence saved the All Star Game for the National League.

Photo Courtesy: latimes.com

Anyhow, the National League definitely seemed in better shape entering the game when you looked at who they had available versus who the American League had, especially in terms of pitchers. The American League started the game with Justin Verlander, Jon Lester, CC Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, Felix Hernandez, David Price and James Shields unavailable. Compare that to the National League who only had to make due without Matt Cain and Cole Hamels. Then to make matters worse, the AL lost Josh Beckett during warmups due to a balky knee. The National League meanwhile was able to trot out Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Clayton Kershaw and Jair Jurrjens. Those four were able to eat up 6 1/3 innings allowing just the Adrian Gonzalez solo home run. And then six of the NL's best relievers picked up the other eight outs. No disrespect to the pitchers that the AL did have available to them, but with the exception of Jered Weaver you didn't really feel as though the A team was out there. And clearly that made a difference tonight.

Anyhow, while the storylines surrounding the game were about the players who didn't make the game, it shouldn't be the only thing that gets talked about. The game offered some pretty good moments too. Yadier Molina smoked a double of former Cardinal battery mate Chris Perez getting a smile out of both players in the 6th inning. Heath Bell came sprinting out of the bullpen in the top of the 8th and slid into the mound in one of the more impressive entrances you'll ever see. Angels closer Jordan Walden hit 100 miles an hour on the gun in the 5th. Jose Bautista and Scott Rolen both made some nifty defensive plays, and Home Run Derby Contestants Gonzalez and Fielder both left the building. And don't forget my man Pence who also singled and scored a run. So the game had a fair amount to offer. Oh yeah, and how could I leave out Brian Wilson's beard!

 Photo Courtesy: zimbio.com

Unfortunately now the All Star Break is over and I have to go back to watching the regular season and the Astros who are some 30+ games under .500. But what are you going to do?