American League 4, National League 3
The NL failed to win the All-Star Game for the 13th straight year, falling to the American Leaguers 4-3 at Busch Stadium. This means the American League will get home field advantage in the World Series, so games three through five are tentatively scheduled for October 31 through November 2 at Dodger Stadium.
Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers pitched the fifth inning for the National League, giving up a run on two hits, leaving with the game tied 3-3. Orlando Hudson came into the game in the sixth inning, hitting for starter Chase Utley, and drove a pitch deep to right field that died before reaching the warning track. Hudson also singled and stole a base in the eighth inning, and was the go-ahead run on base, but Ryan Howard struck out to end the threat.
Hudson became just the fourth Dodger to steal a base in the All-Star Game, joining Shawn Green (2002), Steve Sax (1986), and Maury Wills (1962).
Carl Crawford, who had an amazing, homer-robbing catch off the bat of Brad Hawpe in the seventh inning, to go along with his single in three at-bats, took home MVP honors.
The highlight of the night for me, besides seeing 88-year old Stan Musial getting some well-deserved love, was the joy on Albert Pujols's face as he was given a standing ovation during pregame introductions. That was a pretty special moment. Well, that, and President Barack Obama noting how well the Dodgers were playing.
Phil won the special All-Star edition of "Clogging The Bases," with a guess of 25 bases. The total was 21, and the first player to score was Derek Jeter.
Next year's All-Star Game is in Anaheim, tentatively scheduled for July 13.
The Dodgers resume play Thursday night at Dodger Stadium against Houston. Randy Wolf and Wandy Rodriguez are the scheduled hurlers.
WP - Jonathan Papelbon (1-0): 1 inning, 2 long flyouts, 1 strikeout
LP - Heath Bell (0-1): 1 inning, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Sv - Mariano Rivera (4): 1 inning, 1 strikeout