Prince-ly performance pushes NL past AL, 5-1

The American League’s James Shield of the Tampa Bay Rays gives a baseball to spectators before the MLB All-Star Game, Tuesday, in Phoenix. [AP/YONHAP]

PHOENIX - Pitching, speed and a little bit of power - the same formula that worked for the National League for so long - all played their part in giving the NL a 5-1 win over the American League in Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game on Tuesday.

Prince Fielder’s three-run homer helped the NL to its first consecutive wins in baseball’s showpiece game since 1996, giving the eventual NL champion home-field advantage in four of the potential seven World Series games.

Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez put the AL ahead in the top of the fourth inning with a home run off Philadelphia’s Cliff Lee. The AL almost went further ahead in the same inning, but a great throw by Hunter Pence to catcher Brian McCann got Jose Bautista at the plate.

In the bottom of the inning, Fielder became the first Brewers player to ever homer in an All-Star Game, going long off C.J. Wilson to score Carlos Beltran and Matt Kemp, putting the NL ahead 3-1.

It was 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth when Andre Ethier drove in Rickie Weeks, who had stolen second base.

San Francisco’s Pablo Sandoval hit a ground-rule double in the seventh as his shot bounced into the bullpen, scoring Pence to make it 5-1.

The AL got men on second and third in the top of the ninth but closer Brian Wilson got Paul Konerko to ground out to end the game.

“It was great to have the pitching set up the way it was,’’ NL manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s hard to beat great pitching and a three-run homer.’’

With several big names missing at Chase Field, the AL lost more than the game. Boston right-hander Josh Beckett warmed up, then bowed out with a sore knee. Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera left after hurting a muscle in his side while swinging.

“We are not going to use not having Josh as an excuse,’’ AL manager Ron Washington said. “The bottom line is the National League pitching was outstanding. We ended up giving up one big inning and they didn’t give up any.’’

Even before they were hurt, many stars were missing. Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez and many other aces pitched for their teams on Sunday, so were ineligible. Chipper Jones and Alex Rodriguez were among those on the disabled list and Derek Jeter wanted a break. In all, 16 of 84 All-Stars were dropped.

Tyler Clippard got the win despite allowing a single to his only batter, Adrian Beltre. Clayton Kershaw, Jair Jurrjens, Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters, Heath Bell, Joel Hanrahan and Brian Wilson combined to keep the NL ahead.

Fielder won the MVP award, but the World Series edge could help him later, with Milwaukee and St. Louis tied for the NL Central lead at the break.

“That was part of the message, how important it was for us, and how important the game was: do it again for the National League champion,’’ Bochy said.

Fielder, son of former All-Star Cecil Fielder, was booed during the Home Run Derby a day earlier. He was the NL captain for the Derby, and local fans were angry he didn’t select Arizona’s Justin Upton .

“I didn’t take it personal at all,’’ Fielder said. “I understood it. No hard feelings.’’

Andre Ethier and Pablo Sandoval also drove in runs for the NL, which had lost 12 straight All-Star Games before last year’s victory.

Before a crowd of 47,994 that included Muhammad Ali, this was no desert classic - except for fans of pitching, which has become resurgent as the Steroids Era has receded.

Scoring in the first half of this season dropped to its lowest level in 19 years and the major league batting average shrunk to its smallest midseason figure since 1985.

AP

한글 관련 기사 [일간스포츠]

내셔널리그, 아메리칸리그꺾고 2년 연속 올스타전 승리

내셔널리그(NL)가 라이벌 아메리칸리그(AL)에 2년 연속 올스타전 승리를 거뒀다.

NL은 13일(이하 한국시간) 미국 애리조나주 피닉스의 체이스필드에서 열린 올스타전서 프린스 필더(밀워키)의 역전 스리런 홈런에 힘입어 AL을 5-1로 꺾었다. 이날 승리로 월드시리즈 1·2· 6·7차전 홈 개최 어드밴티지는 NL에 돌아갔다. 1997년부터 2009년까지 AL에 12연패(2002년 무승부 포함)를 당했던 NL은 2년 연속 승리로 통산 전적(42승2무38패)에서도 우위를 지켰다.

선취점은 AL에서 나왔다. 0-0으로 맞선 4회 2사에서 애드리안 곤살레스(보스턴)가 NL 두 번째 투수 클리프 리(필라델피아)에게 우월 솔로 홈런을 날렸다. NL의 반격은 곧바로 이어졌다. 4회말 카를로스 벨트란(뉴욕 메츠)과 맷 캠프(LA 다저스)의 연속 안타로 만든 무사 1·2루에서 4번 타자 필더는 CJ 윌슨(텍사스)의 컷패스트볼을 밀어쳐 좌월 역전 3점 홈런을 날렸다.

NL은 5회말 안드레 이디어(LA 다저스)의 적시타로 1점을 추가한 뒤 7회 말 파블로 산도발(샌프란시스코)의 적시 1타점 2루타로 승부에 쐐기를 박았다. NL 투수 열 명은 AL 타선을 6안타 1득점으로 묶었다.

4회 2사에 NL 세 번째 투수로 등판한 타일러 클리퍼드(워싱턴)가 승리 투수가 됐고, 윌슨은 패전 멍에를 안았다. 역전 홈런의 주인공 필더는 올스타전 MVP로 뽑혔다. AL은 C.C 사바시아(뉴욕 양키스)와 저스틴 벌랜더(디트로이트)가 11일 출전해 등판하지 못한 게 고전 이유였다. 메이저리그는 15일부터 후반기 일정을 재개한다.