The National League's losing streak in the MLB All-Star Game is over. Thanks to an eighth inning go-ahead two-run home run by Rockies catcher Elias Díaz, the NL won this year's Midsummer Classic on Tuesday night (NL 3, AL 2), snapping the American League's winning streak at nine years. Prior to Díaz's homer, the NL had held a lead for only four innings in the last nine All-Star Games.
The two clubs traded runs earlier in the game. Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz opened the scoring with a second-inning solo homer and Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez answered back with an RBI single in the fourth inning. The AL took a 2-1 lead into the eighth inning when Díaz (Elias, not Yandy) took Orioles closer Félix Bautista deep to give the NL the 3-2 lead.
The AL put the go-ahead run on base against Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning, though Guardians star José Ramírez struck out to end the game. Even with the AL's recent nine-game winning streak, the all-time All-Star Game series is fairly even, with the AL holding a 47-44-2 advantage.
Here's everything you need to know about the NL's win in the 2023 All-Star Game at Seattle's T-Mobile Park.
The AL's defense came to play early
On paper, it was a 1-2-3 first inning for AL starter and Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. He certainly had some help though. Right fielder Adolis García robbed Ronald Acuña Jr. at the wall for the first out of the All-Star Game, then Randy Arozarena did the same to Freddie Freeman in left field for the game's second out. Check it out:
García was not even supposed to start the All-Star Game. Aaron Judge, Cole's teammate on the Yankees, was voted in as a starter, but he was unable to play because of his toe injury. García replaced Judge in the starting lineup and, as the old saying goes, the ball will find you. It certainly did in that first inning.
"Come to Seattle!"
Last year, fans serenaded Juan Soto with "Future Dodger!" chants during the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. This year, Mariners fans began the free agent recruiting process with "Come to Seattle!" chants during Shohei Ohtani's first and fourth inning at-bats. Give it a listen:
The Mariners pursued Ohtani aggressively when he first came over from Japan, though the circumstances have changed. Back then it was only going to take a few million bucks to sign him because of the international bonus rules. Now Ohtani's looking at what, a $400 million or $500 million contract as a free agent? Price has gone up a wee bit.
Earlier this week, Ohtani reiterated the fact that his top priority is winning -- "It sucks to lose," he said -- and the Mariners entered the break with a 45-44 record. They're four games back of the third and final wild-card spot. Mariners fans are doing their part with the "Come to Seattle!" chants. Now Mariners players have to take care of business on their end and prove they can win before ownership opens the checkbook.
Díaz went deep
Rays slugger Yandy Díaz opened the All-Star Game scoring with a second-inning solo homer against Pirates righty Mitch Keller. Díaz entered the All-Star break with 13 home runs, only one short of his career high set in 2019. After years of waiting (and too high ground ball rates), Yandy's power breakout has arrived. Here's his All-Star Game homer:
Díaz joins Carl Crawford (2007) and Mike Zunino (2021) as the only Rays to hit a home run in the All-Star Game. More notably, he is the third Cuban-born player to go deep in the Midsummer Classic. Hall of Famer Tony Pérez did it in 1967 and five-time All-Star Octavio "Cookie" Rojas did it in 1972. Pretty neat club Díaz joined Tuesday night.
The other Díaz won it in his All-Star debut
At age 32, Rockies catcher Elias Díaz was selected to his first All-Star Game this season. And, in his very first All-Star Game at-bat, Díaz hit a go-ahead two-run homer against Orioles man-mountain Félix Bautista. What a way to make your All-Star debut:
Two different Díazs went deep in the All-Star Game (Yandy and Elias). How about that? Reds closer Alexis Díaz pitched too. Huh.
Díaz is the first Rockies catcher ever selected to the All-Star Game and the fifth Rockie to go deep in the All-Star Game, joining Todd Helton (2003), Matt Holliday (2008), Trevor Story (2018), and Charlie Blackmon (2019). He hit the first lead-changing homer in the eighth inning or later of an All-Star Game since Hank Blalock took Eric Gagne deep back in 2003.
The game-winning home run of course earned Díaz the Ted Williams All-Star MVP award. What a cool moment.
The Rangers did something that hadn't been done in a long time
There were six -- six! -- Rangers on the field in the second inning: Jonah Heim at catcher, Marcus Semien at second base, Corey Seager at shortstop, Josh Jung at third base, Adolis García in right field, and Nathan Eovaldi on the mound. It was the first time six teammates were on the field together during the All-Star Game since 1951.
Here are the six Dodgers who were together on the field in the eighth inning at Detroit's Briggs Stadium in 1951:
- Don Newcombe (pitcher)
- Roy Campanella (catcher)
- Gil Hodges (first base)
- Jackie Robinson (second base)
- Pee Wee Reese (shortstop)
- Duke Snider (center field)
That's some collection of players, huh? Five Hall of Famers plus Newcombe, who was a four-time All-Star, the 1949 Rookie of the Year, and both the MVP and Cy Young in 1956. I'm not sure the Rangers sextet will be that good, but hey, they did something Tuesday no other team had done in over half-a-century.
Romano exited with an injury
Everyone's biggest fear is an All-Star Game injury and, unfortunately, Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano exited with the trainer in the seventh inning. He gave up a long foul ball to former teammate Lourdes Gurriel Jr. -- the ball was originally called fair and a game-tying home run, then overturned on replay -- then exited the field and headed to the clubhouse.
During an on-field interview with FOX, AL manager Dusty Baker said Romano had some tightness in his lower back while warming up in the bullpen. The Blue Jays later confirmed the same diagnosis. Hopefully it's just a cranky back and nothing more, and Romano will be good to go when the second half begins Friday. A significant All-Star Game injury would be a major bummer.
The NL's losing streak is over
As noted, the AL came into the season having won the last nine All-Star Games. That streak is over. The NL is back in the win column for the first time since 2012. Even with this year's loss, the AL has won 21 of the last 26 All-Star Games. That's a certified All-Star Game dynasty. Perhaps Tuesday's win is the start of a long All-Star Game winning streak for the NL. These things tend to go in cycles, you know.
Below you can find live updates on the All-Star Game in Seattle -- highlights, stats, and commentary -- from the CBS Sports MLB staff.