The National League finally snapped a 13-year winless drought against the American League on Tuesday, defeating the Junior Circuit 3-1.
The Dodgers had four representatives, all of whom had some impact (positive and negative) on the game.
Andre Ethier: He started in right field. He struck out in his first at-bat against Yankees' LHP Andy Pettitte. He singled sharply to right field in his second at-bat against RHP Justin Verlander with a runner on second and one out. The runner was unable to score, though. He was lifted for pinch-hitter Chris Young in the seventh inning against White Sox LHP Matt Thornton. He made one putout in center field.
Hong-Chih Kuo: He started the fifth inning by walking Rays' 3B Evan Longoria after getting ahead 0-2. He then made the game's only error on a comebacker by Twins' catcher Joe Mauer. He grabbed the ball and threw it over Adrian Gonzalez's head, giving the AL runners on second and third with one out. Yankees' 2B Robinson Cano hit a sacrifice fly to give the AL a 1-0 lead. Kuo got Rays' LF Carl Crawford to ground into a fielder's choice, which ended Hunchy's night.
Rafael Furcal: Entered in the sixth inning as a defensive replacement. He walked in the seventh inning in his only plate appearance after Braves' catcher Brian McCann's game-winning 3-run double. He made a nice stretch on the pop fly fielder's choice by Blue Jays' catcher John Buck, which was the second out of the ninth inning.
Jonathan Broxton: He was asked to close the game by the NL. Broxton's first pitch was ripped to right field by Red Sox DH David Ortiz. Broxton prompted to strike out Red Sox 3B Adrian Beltre on four pitches. Then he battled Buck to a full count. Buck swung at ball four and hit a blooper to right field. Cubs' OF Marlon Byrd let the ball drop instead of diving for it, which allowed him to throw out Ortiz at second in perhaps the biggest play of the game (save McCann's double). He then got Rangers' 2B Ian Kinsler to fly out to center field on the first pitch, earning the save.
It was nice to see The Blue represented at the Midsummer Classic. Here's hoping to many more appearances for this quartet and their teammates.
Go Blue!
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