Realmuto goes 0-2 in another American League All-Star Game victory

Final: American League 4, National League 3

The Philadelphia Phillies lone representative in the All-Star Game, J.T. Realmuto, went 0-2 with a pop-out and a strikeout as the American League went on to win its seventh consecutive midsummer classic, defeating the National League by a score of 4-3.

Evidently, Realmuto was the last player to come into the game off the bench for the National League. He replaced Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell as the DH and faced Detroit Tigers pitcher Shane Greene in his first  plate appearance. Realmuto worked a seven-pitch at-bat against the first time All-Star, but popped out to Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu for the second out of the seventh.

Realmuto faced Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman to the begin the ninth. He didn’t see a pitch below 98 mph in the at-bat and ultimately, struck out in his last appearance of the game.

As expected, pitching dominated this year’s edition of the All-Star Game.  Justin Verlander, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Masahiro Tanaka all pitched scoreless half innings to begin the ballgame. The scoring opened in the bottom of the second when Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw gave up the game’s first extra-base hit to former Cleveland fan favorite Michael Brantley. Brantley’s Houston Astros teammate Alex Bregman scored all the way from first to give the American League a 1-0 lead:

The National League finally got on the board in the sixth. Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon got ahold of a high fastball from Oakland A’s reliever Liam Hendricks and sent the ball to right-center field for the game’s first home run and the National League’s first run:

After taking the lead in the fifth, the American League added on in the seventh with an always exciting double-play that scored a run. The National League then opted to put in San Francisco Giants closer Will Smith to replace Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff. Smith was immediately greeted by Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers, who launched a solo shot to right field to give the American League a comfortable three-run lead:

The National League managed to cut the lead down to one in the eighth when New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, who won Monday’s Home Run Derby, delivered a two-run RBI single.  The National League was unable to get a rally started in the ninth against Chapman. They have not won an All-Star Game since 2012, when they defeated the Amerian League 8-0 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

—

• Other highlights from the annual event also included Indians pitcher Shane Bieber striking out the side in the fifth inning and the annual Stand Up to Cancer intermission in the seventh, where players, coaches and fans held up signs to honor those in their lives that have battled cancer. The All-Star representatives from the Indians stood up with their teammate Carlos Carrasco, who is currently fightin Leukemia. Bieber, Carlos Santana, Francisco Lindor and Brad Hand held signs that read “I Stand for Cookie,” while Carrasco’s note simply read “I Stand:”

• The game  began with an emotional tribute to Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who tragically passed away on July 1. Skaggs’ teammates Mike Trout and Tommy La Stella both donned No. 45 to honor the late pitcher.
• With tonight’s victory, the American League moves to 45-43-2 in the all-time series. The aforementioned Bieber was awarded All-Star Game MVP.
• As for Realmuto, he will enjoy a couple days off before resuming his season at Citizens Bank Park on Friday when the Washington Nationals come to town for a three-game weekend series.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

1. The Phillies May Have Too Many Holes To Fix At The Trade Deadline
2. J.T. Realmuto Is Now A 2-Time All-Star, And He May Continue To Get Better
3. ‘The Phillies Got A Gem:’ Former Coaches Laud First-Round Pick Bryson Stott
4. Former Phillies All-Star Domonic Brown Is Having A Great Season In The Mexican League
5. Flashback: The Time Gabe Kapler Had To Be Pinch-Run For In The Middle Of A Home Run