SE Atlanta News

ARLINGTON -- The blend was notable. Power pitching that overwhelmed the opposition, and power hitting that answered back. Established superstars shone on summer’s biggest stage, and emerging superstars made their presence known in front of an ample audience.

Whether it was Pirates rookie Paul Skenes getting Yankees slugger Aaron Judge to roll over on a 100 mph fastball, Dodgers international sensation Shohei Ohtani launching a 400-foot homer, or the Phillies’ Trea Turner and Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. making difficult defensive plays at shortstop, some of the sport’s greatest skillsets were on display Tuesday night at Globe Life Field.

The biggest moment turned out to be the tiebreaking, two-run homer off the bat of Boston’s breakout center fielder Jarren Duran in the American League’s 5-3 win over the National Leaguers.

“That,” Duran said afterward, “is the first home run I’ve ever pimped in my life.”

Duran’s go-ahead swat earned him the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet and ultimately made the AL victorious for the 17th time in the last 21 Midsummer Classics.

The Junior Circuit held serve at Globe Life Field -– a four-year-old building that has already housed two World Series, two no-hitters, and a record-breaking home run off Judge's bat in 2022. The venue accommodated a crowd of 39,343.

The game was completed in two hours and 28 minutes, making it the shortest All-Star Game since 1988 (2:26).

A Texas-themed pregame featured soon-to-be-Hall-of-Famer Adrian Beltré arriving on a stagecoach and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to Pudge Rodriguez while flanked by Nolan Ryan and Fergie Jenkins. AL starter Corbin Burnes of the Orioles pitched a scoreless first inning against the National Leaguers -- possibly an easier assignment than tending to his newborn twins.

More anticipated pitches came in the bottom of the first when Skenes brought his electric right arm to mound just over a year after leading Louisiana State University to victory at College World Series.

“Obviously, I’ve done a lot over the last 13 months,” Skenes said. “I think LSU as a whole does a good job of preparing us for big moments... There’s not much else you can do to prepare for moments like this other than pitch in moments like this.”

Skenes is notable for being taken No.1 overall and reaching All-Star Game next year. NL manager Torey Lovullo increased significance by making Skenes fifth rookie pitcher to start Midsummer Classic.

The 22-year-old met moment by retiring Guardians’ Steven Kwan and Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson but unintentionally walked Juan Soto setting up matchup with Judge everyone wanted. It ended quickly as power pitcher held power hitter to harmless ground ball on first pitch ending outing.

“You’ve got to be [aggressive] with guy like that who can throw 100-plus,” Judge said. “Juan said he would get on for me... then it was my job try barrel something up.”

Judge didn’t go deep but another signature slugger did.

In top third inning mic’d-up Judge talked about how incredible seeing Ohtani post MVP offensive numbers while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Right on cue Ohtani hit Tanner Houck splitter into seats beyond wall right-center becoming first AL/NL player earn win mound (in Colorado) hit homer All-Star career.

His three-run blast put NL ahead 3-0.

“In general I haven't really hit well during All-Star Game,” Ohtani said through interpreter.“So I'm just relieved I put good ball play.”

American Leaguers staged rally bottom inning against Giants’ Logan Webb.Soto aggressively took extra bag ground ball became two-run double.Then Guardians utilityman David Fry pinch-hitting Yordan Alvarez drove Soto home game-tying single.

“Actually it’s probably easier me come off bench there because all these other guys play every day,” Fry said with smile.“To get hit here extremely fun.”

Thanks A’s closer Mason Miller who dominated more than Skenes perfect top fifth threw fastest ever All-Star Game Statcast began tracking wound becoming third rookie notch win game joining Spec Shea Dean Stone both AL remained tied when AL came bat bottom inning.

Orioles right fielder Anthony Santander ripped two-out single Reds’ Hunter Greene bringing Duran plate.The 27-year-old entered break with Red Sox took called strike swung hard splitter second pitch hurtled into right-center-field seats giving Duran his moment AL lead Royals Cole Ragans Seth Lugo Rangers Kirby Yates Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase would not relinquish.

“It's kind hard put words” Duran said,“but honestly couldn’t stop thinking [about] family being able see them after game.But I'm thankful able help AL team win.”