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NEW YORK -- It took Michael Ynoa five years to get to the Futures Game, but the $4.25 million bonus baby had an afternoon to forget on Sunday. The 21-year-old Athletics right-hander took the loss in the 2013 event when he allowed a two-run homer to Matt Davidson in the fourth inning.
The Futures Game, which showcases baseball's very best minor-league prospects, is the All-Star break's first event. Team USA defeated the World Team 4-2 at Citi Field with Davidson, a third baseman in the Diamondbacks' organization, being named the game's MVP. Previous MVPs include Alfonso Soriano, Jose Reyes and Billy Butler.
The USA squad struck early for the first run, as outfielder Christian Yelich (Marlins) laced a second-inning double to dead center that plated outfielder Joc Pederson (Dodgers) all the way from first. Rays southpaw Enny Romero was on the mound that inning.
The World Team answered with two runs in the top of the fourth when second baseman Arismendy Alcantara (Cubs) homered into the second deck in right field. First baseman Jordan Lennerton (Tigers) drove in the second run of the inning off righty Anthony Ranaudo (Red Sox) with a sac fly. Ranaudo's former Double-A Portland teammate, Xander Bogaerts, scored the run thanks to a great slide to avoid the tag at the plate.
After Davidson responded with his homer in the bottom of the fourth, Team USA tacked on an insurance run in the eighth. Third baseman Garin Cecchini (Red Sox) doubled in the speedy Billy Hamilton (Reds) on a line drive to right.
The USA pitching staff kept the World Team at bay despite collectively walking seven and striking out just three. They did that by allowing just three hits -- Alcantara's homer and two singles by Bogaerts. Bogaerts also drew a walk and reached base three times, more than any other hitter on their club.
Royals righty Yordano Ventura, the World Team starter in the 2012 Futures Game, uncorked the hardest pitch of the game at 99 mph according to PitchFX. It was his only pitch of the afternoon; he recorded an inning-ending fly out in the eighth.
Mets right-handers Noah Syndergaard (USA) and Rafael Montero (World) started the game, and each threw a scoreless inning in front of the hometown crowd. Yankees right-hander Rafael DePaula chipped in a scoreless fifth inning.
Team USA has now won four straight Futures Games and nine of 15 overall.