The 2023 MLB All-Star Game was an absolute classic.
It had it all: amazing defensive plays, brilliant pieces of hitting, and clutch displays of pitching. Here’s how it all went down in the 93rd annual Midsummer Classic, as the National League collected its first win in nearly a decade.
Door. Shut.
Craig Kimbrel ultimately showed why he’s been perhaps the best closer in the game over the last decade, punching out José Ramírez with two runners out to collect the save, solidifying the National League’s first win in nine years.
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Julioooo
T-Mobile Park was absolutely rocking as Julio Rodriguez approached the plate with a chance to win it, and Rodriguez showed his clutch gene by coaxing a 3-2 walk out of Kimbrel.
Just missed it
After seeing eight pitches from Craig Kimbrel, Wander Franco nearly took him deep to right field on the ninth, but missed a home run by a few feet.
Blink of an eye
The AL began the bottom of the eighth with a leadoff single, but Austin Riley came up huge again on a screaming line drive his way, executing a tough double play to get his squad out of the inning.
Seize the moment!
The 32-year-old Elias Díaz had never been in an All-Star Game before this year’s. But that didn’t faze him, as he erupted in a big way for the National League to give it a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning.
Romano exits the game
After the Blue Jays‘ Jordan Romano exited the game with an injury, AL manager Dusty Baker explained what happened.
Sacrificial offering
The AL captured a 2-1 lead courtesy of a sac fly from Bo Bichette, who plated Salvador Perez from third.
A Brave bare-hand
An all-Braves infield seems like it’s a pretty good thing. Austin Riley and Matt Olson showed why with this tough play in the infield.
Ohtani talks with Rosenthal
How exactly does Shohei Ohtani keep himself able to hit and pitch during the season’s grueling grind? Check out his mid-game interview with Ken Rosenthal.
He did it again!!
Do they hand out MVP awards for defensive feats? If so, that honor undoubtedly belongs to Adolis Garcia, who topped his previous catch in right field with another you just have to see.
Mr. reliable
Luis Arráez, the best hitter for average in baseball, came through in a big spot for the National League, plating J.D. Martinez after his leadoff double to knot the tally at one.
On the board!
It’s gone! The American League got its first run in the second inning when Yandy Díaz roped an off-speed pitch over the left field wall.
“He’s running!”
Communication is the name of the game in baseball, and perhaps no man in the game is a better listener that Freddie Freeman. After Freeman’s potential hit was thwarted by Arozarena in the outfield, Freeman helped avenge the play by announcing Arozarena’s intentions to steal second base.
The result: A timely throwout from Atlanta’s Sean Murphy.
“Come to Seattle”
The MLB world is unsure of Shohei Ohtani’s future with the Los Angeles Angels, but Seattle is certain it wants to see him in a Mariners uniform. Fans made it clear during Ohtani’s first at-bat.
Robbed by Randy!
Speaking of dynamic hitters with plus gloves, enter Mr. Randy Arozarena, who ventured into the warning track for his own spectacular grab.
What a grab!
The All-Star Game is chock-full of talented hitters, but don’t forget about the awesome gloves on the defensive side of the ball. Adolis García pulled out a nifty nab on the game’s very first at-bat, trekking back to the wall to rob Ronald Acuña Jr. of an extra-base hit.
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