On July 16, the American League all stars and National League all stars played in the 94th MLB all star game in Arlington Texas. The American League won the MLB all star game five to three.
The MLB all star game almost always provides thrilling moments. This year’s midsummer classic was no exception.
MLB all star game moment one- Shohei Ohtani three run home run
The game saw its first score in the top of the third inning. Jurickson Profar of the Padres and Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks both reached on infield singles. This set up Shohei Ohtani to come up to bat with two runners on to face Tanner Houck of the Red Sox. Ohtani would drive a pitch deep to right field for a home run.
Aaron Judge and Juan Soto were being interviewed on the field and could do nothing but stare in awe of Ohtani’s home run. The National League had won the 2023 MLB all star game, so the National League getting on the board first felt like an early dagger.
MLB all star game moment two- Juan Soto two RBI double
The American League went into the bottom of the third inning down three runs. Marcus Semien of the Rangers and Steven Kwan of the Guardians would both reach base. This setup Juan Soto to come up with a chance to get the American League on the scoreboard. He would do just that with a two RBI double. This was Soto’s fourth all star appearance and the first time with an American League team. This was also the first time that Soto was voted in as a starter in the MLB all star game.
MLB all star game moment three- David Fry RBI single
David Fry was one of the first replacement players to come into the all star game. He pinch hit for Yordan Alvarez in the bottom of the third inning. Soto was on second base because of his previously mentioned double. Fry hit a single that would drive in Soto from second base and tie the game. Fry was one of the Guardian’s five all stars, tied with the Orioles for most in the American League.
MLB all star game moment four- Jarren Duran two run home run
The fourth inning came and went without any action. In the bottom of the fifth, Anthony Santander of the Orioles got a single. This brought up Jarren Duran to face Hunter Greene of the Reds. Duran would crush a ball for a two run home run to give the American League a lead they would never look back from. This would make it five straight runs the American League scored unanswered after Ohtani’s home run. This big two run home run would earn Duran the all star MVP nod. The last Red Sox to win the MLB all star game MVP was J.D Drew in 2008.
MLB all star game moment five- call overturned to cause double play
In the top of the 6th inning the National League was looking to respond to the Duran two run home run. Will Smith of the Dodgers got on with a single. This brought up Smith’s teammate Freddie Freeman to face Cole Ragans of the Royals. Freeman grounded a ball to the first baseman, who threw it to the shortstop to get the runner on second and the shortstop threw it back to the first baseman for the double play. Freeman was originally called safe at first but a replay review would show he stepped up the first baseman’s foot before he stepped on the bag, causing Freeman to be out on a double play.
MLB all star game moment six- Kirby Yates dominates
In the top of the eighth inning the American League was looking to hold onto their five to three lead. The American League manager Bruce Bochy of the defending champion Rangers called on Kirby Yates. Yates was representing the hometown Rangers. He was originally the lone Ranger but Seager and Semien were named as replacements. Yates got two strikeouts and a ground ball in a dominant inning. Emmanuel Clase would keep up the domination in the ninth inning and get the save to earn the American League it’s tenth victory in eleven MLB all star games.
