After failing to win the MLB All-Star Game for a considerable time, the National League (NL) is finally back. It’s been nine years since the conference tasted victory, and won spectacularly.

Diaz’s Performance Leads To Victory

Tuesday night’s matchup concluded with the NL securing a 3-2 victory over the American League (AL), all thanks to Rockies catcher Elias Diaz hitting a phenomenal two-run homer in the eighth inning.

This triumphant moment not only ended the AL’s winning streak, but also marked a break from nine consecutive years in which they took the title. In the last nine All-Star games, there had been only four innings in which the NL had managed to take the lead, until Diaz’s spectacular home run broke the pattern.

Earlier in the game, races were swapped between the two clubs. Yandy Diaz, the Rays’ first baseman, opened the scoring by hitting a home run in the second inning. However, Luis Arraez, the Marlins’ second baseman, responded quickly in the fourth inning with an RBI single. The AL managed to take a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning thanks to Diaz (not Yandy, but Elias) luring Felix Bautista, the Orioles’ closer, from deep to give the NL a 3-2 lead.

On Tuesday night, Diaz became the third player in Tampa Bay Rays history to hit a home run in an All-Star Game, following in the footsteps of Carl Crawford in 2007 and Mike Zunino in 2021. Notably, he also joins an elite group of Cuban players to grace the Summer Classic. Nearly six decades ago, Hall of Famer Tony Perez accomplished this feat in 1967, while five-time All-Star Octavio Cookie Rojas accomplished it in 1972.

American League Strategy Fails

The AL gave the green signal for the primary attack against Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel precisely in the ninety minute. At the same time, Jose Ramirez took a step back to conclude the game. With the American League’s outstanding nine-game winning streak, their dominance in the All-Star Game is remarkable as they hold a 47-44-2 lead. While it may seem like a flawless first inning for AL starting pitcher and Yankees star Gerrit Cole, it’s clear he got help.

In a fascinating turn of events, Adolis Garcia showed his prowess by surprising Ronald Acuna Jr. as he deftly maneuvered toward the wall during the All-Star Game. Without stopping at that, Randy Arozarena replicated this remarkable feat by successfully beating Freddie Freeman in left field for the second time during the game.

Garcia’s All-Star role needs to be reconsidered. Although Aaron Judge, Garcia’s Yankees teammate, was initially named as the starting lineup, he found himself with an ankle injury that prevented him from participating. Consequently, Garcia took over Judge’s position in the starting lineup, experiencing significant success on the field.

Anxiety hung over everyone when the prospect of an injury during the All-Star Game cast a shadow. To everyone’s dismay, Jordan Romano, the Blue Jays’ starting pitcher, walked away with his coach in the seventh inning. The loss encompassed him when he succumbed to his former teammate, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., during a long offensive stand. With a heavy heart, Romano reluctantly left the field and headed towards the sanctuary of the clubhouse.