AL Wins 2009 All-Star Game 4-3

The National League tried to win its first All Star Game since 1996. But again it came up short as the American League won the 80th All-Star Game in St. Louis tonight 4-3. For the fourth consecutive year, the NL lost the game by one run.

The AL scored two runs in the top of the first off NL starter Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants. The first run was scored by New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter on an error by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols in front of the hometown fans. Another run scored when Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton hit into a fielder's choice scoring Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer.

However, the NL stormed back to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 2nd. AL starter Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays retired the first two hitters but then gave up four consecutive hits. St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina drove in the first run with a single scoring New York Mets third baseman David Wright. A throwing error by Hamilton scored Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino to tie the game. Milwaukee Brewers slugger Prince Fielder, who won last night's Home Run Derby, hit a pinch hit double scoring Molina to give the NL the lead.

Interestingly, the NL would score all their runs while President Obama was in the booth with Tim McCarver and Joe Buck. More on President Obama's presence in St. Louis in my next post.

The game proceeded rather quickly. The AL tied the game in the top of the 5th on a double by Mauer scoring Jeter off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley.

The NL nearly took back the lead. When Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon came on in the 7th his first pitch to Colorado Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe nearly went over the fence but Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Carl Crawford robbed Hawpe of a home run.

This gave the AL the opening they needed. In the top of the 8th with one out, Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson hit a triple off San Diego Padres reliever Heath Bell. The way the ball bounced off the left field wall I thought Granderson had a chance at an inside the park home run but Phillies center fielder Jayson Werth cut off the ball. Granderson would later score on a sacrifice fly by Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones.

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his record fourth save at an All-Star Game. The AL won 4-3 and for the seventh straight season they get home field advantage in the World Series. It is, however, worth noting that NL teams have won three of the past six World Series.

Carl Crawford was named the 2009 All-Star Game MVP for his spectacular catch.

The 2010 MLB All Star Game will be hosted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.