CLEVELAND, OH. (CLARKSVILLENOW)- The 90th MLB mid-summer classic was hosted by the Cleveland Indians on July 9, and it had a little bit of everything.
The American League continued its winning streak for the seventh straight year, Cleveland saw its very own Shane Bieber win MVP honors, two brothers-in-law got a unique chance to face off, and the stadium took a moment to stand up for cancer.
Although the winner of the game no longer earns homefield advantage for the World Series, the All-star game has kept much of its competitive spirit. The American League got off to a 3-1 lead going into the 7th inning before Texas Rangers player Joey Gallo displayed his easy power with a solo homerun to extend the lead. The National League cut the lead to 4-3 in the eighth inning with a two RBI single from Pete Alonso.
But it wasn’t enough, as the AL won by a final score of 4-3.
Cleveland Indians pitcher Shane Bieber was named an all-star 0n July 5, just four days before the game took place. He replaced Texas Rangers pitcher Mike Minor. Bieber took the mound in the fifth inning and threw the perfect outing, striking out three consecutive batters. The crowd gave an enormous ovation for Bieber as he was facing his final batter. It sounded as if the Indians won the pennant with the cheers when he recorded his final strikeout. Bieber appropriately went on to win the game’s MVP award.
Now a yearly tradition at the MLB All-star Game, the Stand Up to Cancer moment took place after Bieber’s electric fifth inning. Cleveland Indians Pitcher Carlos Carrasco is battling Leukemia, which made this year a little extra special. He was featured standing on field with his Manager, Terry Francona. Everyone in the stadium was on their feet for the moment, including Carrasco’s teammates who were holding signs that spelled out “Cookie,” his nickname.
In the third inning, Pitcher Jose Berrios gave up a lead-off double to Ketel Marte then turned around to thank him. This is not a typical response from a pitcher after giving up an extra base hit. However, Berrios wasn’t worried about the double, he was excited for the chance to face his childhood friend, Javier Baez. Berrios and Baez are lifelong friends and grew up in the same small town, Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Not only that, the two ended up marrying sisters. It was their second opportunity to face each other as brothers-in-law at the professional level. The first occurred in the 2018 All-star game. Replicating their first encounter, Berrios got the best of Baez, retiring him with a fly out.
On July 11 the MLB All-stars will return to their respective teams for the beginning of the second half of the MLB season.