The 2016 MLB All-Star Game started with plenty of fireworks at Petco Park in San Diego on Tuesday. Though the National League got on the board first, the American League prevailed 4-2 for its fourth win in a row.
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant captivated the crowd with a solo shot in the top of the first off Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale.
MLB.com shared video of Bryant's win in the Windy City matchup:
Adam Jacobi of SB Nation had a great reaction to Bryant's dinger:
But the NL's celebration and lead were relatively short-lived. In the bottom of the second, the AL went to work, and two reigning World Series champions served as the catalysts.
Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer blasted an equalizing homer off former teammate Johnny Cueto—now of the San Francisco Giants—and Royals catcher Salvador Perez hit a two-run long ball to put his side on top.
ESPN.com's Jim Trotter responded to the explosive action to begin the contest:
ESPN Stats & Info noted the significance of the Kansas City duo's homers:
David Ortiz is in the midst of his last season, so the Boston Red Sox legend got a warm reception when he was lifted for a pinch runner after drawing a walk, courtesy of Fox Sports on Twitter:
The MMQB's Peter King commented on Ortiz's grand exit:
It didn't take long for Hosmer to add some insurance thereafter, as he drove in Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, Ortiz's substitute, with a single in the third to stretch the AL's advantage to 4-1.
The 2-for-3, two-RBI performance garnered Hosmer the MVP Award.
The NL scored a run in the fourth on a single by Miami Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna that plated Giants catcher Buster Posey, but the AL bullpen held its foe in check the rest of the night.
One of the most notable occurrences during the latter stages of the game was a review, as highlighted by MLB Replay:
In addition to being at the center of the maiden All-Star replay, Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy made a key defensive play in the seventh.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Murphy denied Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor a hit with a fine stop and throw to first.
The NL filled the bags in the top of the eighth against New York Yankees reliever Andrew Miller. Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy and Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte singled before Cincinnati Reds left fielder Adam Duvall walked. Miller had thrown 28 pitches, and Royals manager Ned Yost pulled him.
It was up to Will Harris of the Houston Astros to retire the side. He did so in suspenseful fashion, striking out shortstop Aledmys Diaz of the St. Louis Cardinals looking with a low fastball on the outside corner on a 3-2 pitch.
Jose Silva tweeted how Astros and AL fans felt after the clutch K:
Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton slammed the door in the ninth but not without some minor drama.
Britton allowed a leadoff single to Murphy before Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt grounded into a fielder's choice. Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado then grounded into a double play to end it.
For pitching a perfect second, Indians starter Corey Kluber got the winning decision for the AL.
With the victory, the American League gained home-field advantage for the World Series. The Texas Rangers own the best record in the Junior Circuit, but the Indians and Orioles aren't far behind. The Red Sox and Blue Jays hold the wild-card positions, and the Astros are two games back.
After three straight victories from 2010-12, the NL has fallen into a slump at the Midsummer Classic. It's not as bad as its last drought, though. After the Senior Circuit won in 1996, the AL claimed 12 wins in 13 years with an extra-innings tie in 2002.
San Francisco topped Kansas City without home-field advantage in the 2014 World Series, but the National League will have to hone its game in the years to come to reverse its fortunes at the All-Star Game.
Postgame Reaction
Perez shared his thoughts on the AL's victory with Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal:
Beyond the implications of what Tuesday's outcome meant to the entire American League, Hosmer cited the victory as a possible spark for his Royals club.
"Hopefully this is something we can all rally upon for the second half and find a way to use that home-field advantage," Hosmer said, per the Associated Press' Ronald Blum.
Hosmer elaborated on the importance of that edge in the World Series, saying, per Blum, "We know how much that home-field advantage helped us. It just brings that sense of comfort to the team and gives you a jump-start for the whole series."
Cueto implied he was banged up but didn't say it impacted his performance.
"This morning I got up and didn't feel well. That is not an excuse," Cueto said, per Blum. "I just left two pitches up, and that was the story."
Marlins ace Jose Fernandez talked about facing Oritz, saying, per Blum, "I couldn't believe that I was actually pitching to him. We both looked at each other and smiled."
Ortiz thought he had an agreement with Fernandez to get some favorable pitches, but apparently the youngster pulled some trickery on him.
"I was supposed to hit a home run in my second at-bat. My boy told me he was going to throw me a fastball, and the first pitch was a changeup," Ortiz said, per Blum. "Then 3-2 he threw me a slider, and I'm like, 'Are you trying to break my back?' But he said it was the catcher's fault."
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