2011 MLB All-Star Game: Tracking the First Pitch to the Final out

Before the 2003 World Series the American League and National League alternated year-to-year as to which league would host the Fall Classic.

Bud Selig wanted to spice up the All-Star Game by making the 2003 game "count." Instead of simply doing what the NHL and NBA do, handing home-field advantage to the team with the best record in the Finals, he put home-field advantage in the hands of bottom-feeders such as the Royals, Orioles and Nationals.

They thought it would bring interest back into the exhibition not only for the players, but for the fans. The players continue to bail making the game feel like the NFL Pro Bowl.

The 86 total all-stars set a record eclipsing the previous mark of 84 set just last season. The game's been diluted.Yes, there's been injuries, most notably to Jose Reyes, Alex Rodriguez, and Ryan Braun to name a few.

Scott Rolen is starting at third base. A guy hitting .241 with five home runs and 36 RBI should not be on the team, let alone starting. I realize Aramis Ramirez declined, but what about Chase Headley or Ryan Roberts?

And if this game "counts," shouldn't this game be moved to Wednesday. 

Then staff aces like Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez, Cole Hamels and Matt Cain can pitch in the game. (Starters who pitch on Sunday are not allowed to pitch in the game) No offense to Kevin Correia, but who would you rather have out there on the mound, Hamels or Correia? (Despite 86 all-stars Tommy Hanson still didn't make it, WOW)

Nonetheless, as we've seen since 2003, home-field advantage in the World Series has been rather meaningless. The squad that's garnered home-field advantage is just 5-3.

Regardless of the large tangent I just went one, it's still the Mid-Summer classic!

The American League won 12 consecutive All-Star games before the National League took the game in Anaheim last year 3-1.

National League Roster

Starting Lineup

1. 2B- Rickie Weeks (Mil)- .278, 17 HR, 39 RBI

2. DH- Carlos Beltran (NYM)-  .285, 13 HR, 58 RBI

3. CF- Matt Kemp (LAD)- .327, 22 HR, 64 RBI

4. 1B- Prince Fielder (Mil)- .310, 15 HR, 50 RBI

5. C- Brian McCann (Atl)- .310, 15 HR, 50 RBI

6. RF- Lance Berkman (Stl)- .290, 24 HR, 63 RBI

7. LF- Matt Holliday (Stl)- .318, 10 HR, 40 RBI

8. SS- Troy Tulowitzki (Col)- .271, 17 HR, 57 RBI

9. 3B- Scott Rolen (Cin)-  .241, 5 HR, 36 RBI

SP- Roy Halladay (Phi)- 11-3, 2.45 ERA

VOTED AS STARTERS BUT INJURED

3B- Placido Polanco (Phi) - .274, 4 HR, 39 RBI

SS- Jose Reyes (NYM)- .354, 3 HR, 32 RBI

OF- Ryan Braun (Mil)- .320, 16 HR, 62 RBI

RESERVES

Infield

C- Yadier Molina (Stl)- .286, 5 HR, 31 RBI

C- Miguel Montero (Ari)- .272, 10 HR, 45 RBI

1B- Gaby Sanchez (Fla)- .293, 13 HR, 50 RBI

1B- Joey Votto (Cin) - .324, 13 HR, 55 RBI

2B- Brandon Phillips (Cin)- .290, 8 HR, 49 RBI

SS- Starlin Castro (CHC)- .307, 2 HR, 39 RBI

3B- Pablo Sandoval (SF)- .303, 8 HR, 29 RBI

3B- Chipper Jones (Atl) - 259, 8 HR, 46 RBI

Outfield

OF- Jay Bruce (Cin) - .266, 21 HR, 57 RBI

OF- Hunter Pence (Hou)- .323, 11 HR, 60 RBI

OF-Justin Upton, Diamondbacks - OF - .295, 15 HR, 46 RBI

OF- Shane Victorino (Phi)- .303, 9 HR, 34 RBI

OF- Andre Ethier (LAD)- .322, 7 HR, 41 RBI

OF- Andrew McCutchen (Pit)- .291, 14 HR, 54 RBI, 15 SB

Starting Pitchers

Cliff Lee (Phi)- 9-6, 2.82 ERA

Cole Hamels (Phi)- 11-4, 2.32 ERA

Jair Jurrjens (At)- 12-3, 1.87 ERA

Clayton Kershaw (LAD)- 9-4, 3.03 ERA

Tim Lincecum (SF)- 7-7, 3.06 ERA

Matt Cain (SF)- 8-5, 3.06 ERA

Ryan Vogelsong (SF)- 6-1, 2.17 ERA

Kevin Correia (Pit)- 11-7, 4.01 ERA

Relief Pitchers

CL- Brian Wilson (SF)-  6-2, 3.14 ERA, 26 saves

CL- Heath Bell (SD)- 2-3, 2.43 ERA, 26 saves

CL- Joel Hanrahan (Pit) - 0-1, 1.34 ERA, 26 saves

CL- Craig Kimbrel (Atl) - 2-3, 2.35 ERA, 28 saves

SU- Tyler Clippard (Was)- 1-0, 1.75 ERA, 0 saves

SU- Jonny Venters (Atl)- 4-1, 1.46 ERA, 3 saves

American League Roster

Starters

1. CF- Curtis Granderson (NYY)- .269 25 HR 63 RBI

2. SS- Asdrubal Cabrera (Cle)- .293 14 HR 51 RBI

3. 1B- Adrian Gonzalez (Bos)- .354 17 HR 77 RBI

4. RF- Jose Bautista (Tor)- .334 31 HR 65 RBI

5. LF- Josh Hamilton (Tex)- .301 11 HR 49 RBI

6. 3B- Adrian Beltre (Tex)- .273 19 HR 71 RBI

7. DH- David Ortiz (Bos)- .304 19 HR 55 RBI

8. 2B- Robinson Cano (NYY)- .296 15 HR 57 RBI

9. C- Alex Avila (Det)- .286 10 HR 46 RBI

SP- Jered Weaver (LAA)

VOTED AS STARTERS BUT INJURED

SS- Derek Jeter (NYY)- 270, 3 HR, 24 RBI

3B- Alex Rodriguez (NYY)- .295, 13 HR, 52 RBI

RESERVES

Infield

C--Russell Martin (NYY)- .220, 10 HR, 36 RBI

C- Matt Wieters (Bal)- .264, 8 HR, 34 RBI

1B- Miguel Cabrera (Det)- .311, 18 HR, 59 RBI

1B-Paul Konerko (CHW)- .319, 22 HR, 67 RBI

2B- Howie Kendrick (LAA)- .302, 8 HR, 29 RBI

SS- Jhonny Peralta (Det)- .312, 14 HR, 50 RBI

3B- Kevin Youkilis (Bos)- .285, 13 HR, 63 RBI

DH- Michael Young (Tex)- .323, 8 HR, 59 RBI

Outfield

Michael Cuddyer (Min)- .298, 13 HR, 43 RBI

Jacoby Ellsbury (Bos)- OF - .316, 11 HR, 49 RBI

Matt Joyce (TB)- .290, 12 HR, 41 RBI

Carlos Quentin (CHW) - .251, 17 HR, 51 RBI

Starting Pitchers

Justin Verlander (Det)- 12-4. 2.15 ERA

Felix Hernandez (Sea)- 8-7, 3.19 ERA

Josh Beckett (Bos)- 8-3, 2.27 ERA

Jon Lester (Bos)- 10-4, 3.31 ERA

CC Sabathia (NYY)- 13-4, 3.52 ERA

David Price (TB)- 8-7, 3.70 ERA

James Shields (TB)- 8-7, 2.33 ERA

Gio Gonzalez (Oak)- 8-6, 2.47 ERA

Michael Pineda (Sea)- 8-6, 3.03 ERA

Ricky Romero (Tor)- 7-8, 3.09 ERA

C.J. Wilson (Tex)- 9-3, 3.20 ERA

Alexi Ogando (Tex)- 9-3, 2.92 ERA

Relief Pitchers

CL--Mariano Rivera (NYY)- 1-1, 1.85 ERA, 22 saves

CL- Jose Valverde (Det)- 2-3. 2.70 ERA, 24 saves

CL- Chris Perez (Cle)- 2-4. 2.43 ERA, 21 saves

CL- Brandon League (Sea)- 1-4, 3.44 ERA, 23 saves

CL- Jordan Walden (LAA)- 2-2, 2.84 ERA, 20 saves

SU- David Robertson (NYY)- 2-0, 1.27 ERA, 0 saves

SU- Aaron Crow (KC)- 2-2, 2.03 ERA, 0 saves

The All-Stars Who Won't Play

The following players will not participate due to injury or pitching on Sunday...

Jose Reyes, Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez, Cole Hamels, Jon Lester, David Price, James Shields, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, Ryan Braun, Placido Polanco, Shane Victorino, Matt Cain, Chipper Jones and most notably Derek Jeter.

The Pitch-by-Pitch Key

Here's the key you need as I keep track of the game pitch by pitch... (I suggest you print this out)

FB=Fastball     

CB- Curveball      

CH- Changeup

SL- Slider 

Cut- Cutter        

Sink- Sinker           

The numbers listed above represent where the pitched crossed the plate in the zone, for example if a left-handed batter took a fastball for a strike high and inside I note that as ...

FB1 95 (95 represents MPH) 0-1 (0-1 represents pitch count)

Let's say the next pitch he swings at a slider down and in I'd note that as...

SL7 85 SS 0-2 (swinging strike)

If a player strikes out I'll note it as...

SL 7 SOL (Strikes out looking)

OR

SL7 84 SOS (Strikes out swinging)

HOPEFULLY ALL OF THIS MAKES SENSE AS I TAKE YOU THROUGH THE GAME

Stay tuned...

Pregame Intros

Last night during the Home Run Derby Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks and Matt Kemp were booed substantially by the Arizona faithful as they were obviously a bit ticked off due to Justin Upton's exclusion in the derby

I think Upton would've at least made contact with the ball, something Weeks was unable to do with his first pitch.

Weeks and Kemp were heckled rather loudly, while the most vocal boos went towards Prince Fielder.

As usual the Yankee representatives were booed heavily. Robinson Cano was the only one who was cheered on the Yankee side. Man what a show he put on last night.

The San Francisco Giants' All-Stars were booed rather substantially as well. 

Kirk Gibson got a loud ovation, and rightfully so. The job he's done turning the Diamondbacks around has been incredible.

Arizona All-Star's Justin Upton and Miguel Montero got, expectedly, loud ovations.

On the AL side, Paul Konerko and Josh Hamilton got large pops, as did most of the Red Sox players.

Brian Wilson had the best tip of the cap...so graceful and elegant.

By the way, Joe Buck's voice sounds atrocious. They should've had Kenny do the game.

Quick Prediction

I've got the National League winning for the second year in a row 5-2.

No Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez, David Price, James Shields, and Mariano Rivera will hurt the AL.

I've got Prince Fielder winning the MVP. A home run hasn't been hit in the All Star Game in two year, I think that changes tonight.

Top of the 1st

1. Granderson- cut1 91 sharp groundout to first base, one out

2. Cabrera- FB1 92 0-1, CH7 84 SS 0-2, Sink9 91 1-2, CH 7 SOS, two out

3. Gonzalez- FB6 93 1-0, FB6 92 1-1, cut4 91 1-2, Cut7 91, jammed groundout to 1st

Halladay made that look easy. You have to love Joe Buck calling Halladay's cutter as a breaking ball, haha.

Bottom of the 1st

How great were Brian Wilson's intros, haha.

1. Weeks- FB2 89 0-1, FB6 91 SS 0-2, FB5 91, Groundout to first base, one out

2. Belltran- CH6 78 0-1, FB9 91 1-1, CB7 72 2-1, FB9 91 2-2, CH3 76 SOS, fooled Beltran and got away with it because he left it up, two out

3. Kemp- FB7 91 0-1, CH7 82 1-1, Sl7 81 2-1, FB4 91 3-1, FB1 90, WALK, man on 1st, 2 out

4. Fielder- FB6 88 looper caught by Hamilton in left

Jered Weaver is the first Angels pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Mark Langston in 1993.

Weaver got through the inning despite missing the location on his breaking pitches, and striking out Beltran on a high changeup.

Top of the 2nd

4. Bautista- FB3 91 jammed and popped up to short center field

5. Hamilton- Sink9 91 1-0, FB1 92 Nice sliding play on groundball by Rolen.

6. Beltre- FB6 92 0-1, FB2 92 SS, CH 84 Foul 0-2, CH8 84 1-2, Cut91 2-2, FB2 Foul, Cut4 92 Line drive by Beltre tracked down by Berkman at the warning track.

Beltre had the only hard hit ball off of Halladay.

Cliff Lee will be pitching in the third inning for the NL

0-0 as we head to the bottom of the 2nd.

Bottom of the 2nd

Interesting to see Ron Washington bring in David Robertson into the game the relieve Weaver already, until we figured out that Josh Beckett tweaked his knee warming up in the pen.

He's become the new set-up man to Mariano Rivera due to the struggles and injuries to Rafael Soriano.

5. McCann- FB9 93 1-0, FB8 94 Foul 1-1, FB1 93 2-1, FB7 93 golfed foul down the right field line and Bautista makes a tremendous sliding grab, one out.

6. Berkman- FB9 95 1-0, FB6 94 2-0, FB7 93, base-hit up the middle, man on 1st, one out

7. Holliday- CB6 80 0-1, FB7 94 2-0, CB8 80 SS 1-2, FB7 95 2-2, CB7 81 3-2, FB4 92 foul, FB6 92 SOL, and Berkman throw out at second to end the inning.

You know it's the All Star Game when Lance Berkman attempts to steal second base.

What an incredible catch by Bautista at the beginning of the inning. He had a record 7.4-million votes to start in the game.

Robertson looked like he was juiced up. He overthrew his fastball, but got out of the inning with the double play.

Still 0-0

Top of the 3rd

Cliff Lee in for the NL

7. Ortiz- FB9 91 0-1, FB3 91 2-0, FB6 90 3-0, FB2 90 3-1, Cut1 87 3-2, Cut4 87, Sharp groundball out to first base, one out

8. Cano- CB4 74 1-0, Cut4 86, Two-hop groundout to first base, two out

9. Avila- FB6 91 0-1, FB4 Foul, CB8 74 1-2, CB8 76 2-2, FB1 92 Groundout to shortstop

Nice strategical move by Bochy by bringing in the the lefty Lee to face the three lefties at the bottom of the AL order.

Bottom of the 3rd

Michael Pineda of the Mariners in pitching for the AL.

8. Tulowitzki- FB6 94 0-1, FB3 95, Flyout to center field, one out

9. Rolen- FB4 96 0-1, Sl7 85 1-1, Sl7 83 SS, Sl9 84 SOS, two out

1. Weeks- FB3 96 0-1, Sl9 84 1-1, FB3 97 Foul, SL7 86 SOS

Michael Pineda is the first Mariners rookie in the All Star Game since Ichiro in 2001. By the way, that slider is deadly to go along with that mid-to-high 90's fastball.

The Mariners should have themselves a nice little one-two starting pitching combo for years to come.

Just one hit so far in the game

Still 0-0 after three.

Top of the 4th

Cliff Lee pitching another inning, Pence in LF, Upton in RF

1. Granderson- FB1 91 0-1, FB7 Groundout to second base, one out

2. Cabrera- FB9 91 1-0, FB4 92 Flyout to center field, two out

3. Gonzalez- FB9 91 SS, Cut86 Homers on a line drive to right center field, the cutter caught too much of the plate, right in Adrian's happy zone. 1-0 AL two out

4. Bautista- FB4 92 Foul, FB7 92 Foul, FB7 92 1-2, Cut7 87, Fielder drops a basket catch on a blooper down the first base line, ruled a single, man on 1st two out  

5. Hamilton- FB7 91 1-0, FB2 90 Breaks bat on bloop single to center field, men on 1st and 2nd (PC- Tyler Clippard)

6. Beltre- FB8 92 SS 0-1, FB 4 92 0-2, FB6 92 Base-hit to left field, and thrown out on a pee by Hunter Pence. 

I have to refute the statements made by Buck and McCarver saying that Lee NEVER throws a fastball down the middle.

When his ERA at the beginning of the year was up at 3.98, that was Lee's dilemma. He was leaving too many fastballs down the middle.

And anyone but the "Porkchop" makes that play at first-base. Fielder took a bad route to that ball.

How about that rope by Pence in left? He currently leads the NL in assists with nine.

1-0 AL

Bottom of the 4th

C.J. Wilson in

2. Beltran- CH7 84 infield single in the SS hole, tough play, man on 1st no out

3. Kemp- FB7 92 1-0, Cut9 90 Foul, Cut6 87 Base hit to left field, men on 1st and 2nd no outs

4. Fielder- FB4 92 1-0, FB3 91 Foul, FB9 90 2-1, FB3 93 Foul 2-2, FB2 88 Fastball crushed the opposite field for a home run, it looked like it hit the top of the wall and came back? 3-1 NL

5. McCann- Sl9 83 1-0, FB 6 SS 1-1, FB4 91 2-1, FB8 92 pop out to third base in foul territory, one out

6. Upton- CB9 77 0-1, FB2 88 Broken bat line drive out to Cano at second base.

7. Pence- FB8 92 0-1, Sl7 83 1-1, Cut9 88 2-1, Fb7 92 3-1, FB4 93 3-2, Cut9 88 SOS

At first glance Fielders home run looked like it scraped the top of the wall and came back, but that wasn't the case. Wilson left a fastball belt-high in the middle of the plate and the porkchop crushed it.

Top of the 5th

Molina in to catch, Votto in to play 1B, and Kershaw in to pitch

7. Ortiz- FB3 94 1-0, FB2 94 Foul 1-1, FB6 95 1-2, Sl9 87 3B umpire said he went around, one out

8. Cano- FB1 96 Foul, CB1 74, slow roller to first base, two out

9. Avila- FB7 94 1-0, FB7 94 One hop scorcher scooped by Votto at first base, nice play.

Easy inning for Kershaw, and a really nice play by Votto. He won the NL MVP Award last season and still remains as one of the most underrated players in baseball.

Bottom of the 5th

Jordan Walden in pitching, Howie Kendrick at 2B, Jhonny Peralta at SS, Jacoby Ellsbury at CF and Miguel Cabrera at 1B

8. Tulowitzki- FB2 100 0-1, FB4 100 1-1, FB9 100 loop single over the glove of Kendrick at second base, (Starlin Castro in to pinch run for Tulowitzki), man on 1st one out

9. Rolen- FB1 100 SS 0-1, FB7 100, Castro Stolen Base now at 2b no outs, Sl7 85 SS 1-2, FB4 100 SOS, man on 2nd one out

1. Weeks- SL7 87 1-0, FB1 99 Foul 1-1, Sl4 84 1-2, Sl7 83 2-2, Castro steals thrid base one out, FB9 100, what a play by Waldon to handle the Baltimore chop with one hand and in one motion throw out Castro at home, man on 1st two outs

2. PH- Ethier- FB3 98 1-0, FB1 98 2-0, FB4 99 Foul 2-1, FB4 99 Foul 2-2, CH7 82 3-2, FB6 98 FOUL 3-2, and I mean just foul, had HR distance, FB4 99 Foul 3-2, FB4 98 looping RBI single to right field, Weeks scores but Ethier thrown out at second.

Walden is very slow to the plate, and the NL was able to swipe three bags in the inning.

Walden saved one run by his fantastic bare-handed play.

Ethier had an amazing battle against Walden. In the eight pitch at-bat, Ethier fouled four balls off before putting the ball in play to score Weeks.

4-1 NL

Top of the 6th

Jair Jurrjens in to pitch, Brandon Phillips into 2B, Castro stays in at SS, and Pablo Sandoval to 3B

1. Ellsbury- FB6 87 0-1, CH8 83 1-1, CH7 83 2-1, FB3 87 2-2, Sl7 85 SOS, one out

2. Peralta- FB1 89 0-1, FB3 89 1-1, FB9 90 Deep flyout to the warning track in right field, two out

4. Cabrera- Sl6 77 1-0, CH9 84 SS 1-1, FB9 88 2-1, CH9 84 2-2 FB1 92 Grounds out sharply to second base

You can see why Jurrjens has had an incredible first half of the season. He changes the speeds of his fastball, and has a nice changeup.

He did get hit hard twice in the inning.

The NL has now retired six consecutive AL hitters.

Bottom of the 6th

Chris Perez, another reliever, into the game, so is Matt Wieters at catcher, Matt Joyce in left field and Carlos Quentin in right field.

3. Kemp- FB3 95 1-0, FB7 93 1-1, Sl1 84 2-1, FB7 94 3-1, FB8 Foul 3-2, FB3 94 Foul, FB2 Flyout to right field, one out

4. Votto- FB3 94 1-0, FB3 94 3-0, FB8 94 2-1, FB6 94 SS, FB7 94 3-2, FB2 93 SOS, two out

5. Molina- FB7 93 Line drive double off the left-field fence, man on 2nd two outs

6. Upton- FB1 95 Line drive out to left field

You can tell how limited Ron Washington is with his pitching staff. He's already used three relievers as oppossed to just one by Bruce Bochy.

Top of the 7th

Jurrjens still in, Andrew McCutchen in center field

4. Quentin- SL8 78 SS 0-1, SL9 77 SS 0-2, FB3 89 1-2, FB1 89 pop out to first base in foul territory, one out

5. Joyce- FB3 87 Foul, 2FB6 84 Groundout to shortstop, two out

6. Youklis- FB4 87 0-1, Sl7 1-1, FB6 90 2-1, FB6 88 Base hit left field, man on 1st one out (PC- Craig Kimbrel)

7. Konerko- FB3 94 1-0, FB7 96 2-0, FB1 97 Foul, FB4 98 SS 2-2, FB4 98 Foul 2-2, Sl7 88 3-2, Sl4 87, WALK, men on 1st and 2nd two out

8. Kendrick- FB7 98 1-0, FB9 98 1-1, Sl4 87 2-1, FB1 97 SS 2-2, FB3 97 Foul, Sl4 87 Foul, FB7 98 Groundout to second base

People in Atlanta are forgetting about Billy Wagner rather quickly, with a 95-plus MPH fastball and a deadly slider it's not a surprise that Kimbrel racked up 70 strikouts in 46 innings pitched.

Bottom of the 7th

Michael Cuddyer in at 1B, Michael Young in at 3B and Brandon League is in to pitch

7. Pence- FB8 97 1-0, FB2 97 1-1, Split9 88 SS, Sl3 87 Groundball base hit in the left hole, man on 1st no outs

8. Castro- FB9 97 0-1, FB2 97 Foul 0-2, Split 7 88 SOS, man on 1st one out

9. Sandoval- FB5 98 Foul 0-1, Split 1 87 1-1, past ball and Pence gets two bases, man on third one out, FB7 98 2-1, FB7 98 3-1, FB6 SS 3-2, FB8 98 Line drive ground rule double down the left field line, man on 2nd one out 5-1 NL

1. Phillips- FB7 97 1-0, FB6 97 Foul 1-1, FB4 97 Fly out to center field, man on 2nd two outs 

2. Sanchez- FB6 97 Foul, Split1 87 1-1, FB3 97 pop out to second base

I can't remember the last time a base-runner got two bases on a past ball, if anyone know please inform me?

And what an at-bat by the panda!

5-1 NL

Top of the 8th

Jonny Venters in

9. Wieters Sink97 6 Groundout to second base, one out

1. Ellsbury- Sink4 96 0-1, Sink9 96 SS, Sink8 97 SOS, two out (PC- Heath Bell)

2. Peralta- FB1 93 1-0, FB4 93 2-0, CB3 79 3-0, FB2 93 3-1, FB1 93 pop out to second base

How about Venters? He throws the heaviest sinker in baseball.

Heath Bell did his best Todd Coffey impersonation by running onto the diamond from the bullpen. If Bell, Coffey and Teddy Roosevelt had a race at Nationals park, Teddy may actually win a race?

Bottom of the 8th

Alexi Ogando in pitching

3. McCutchen- FB7 95 Foul, FB7 99 1-1, FB7 97 Check swing groundout to the pitcher, one out

4. Votto- FB6 97 0-1, FB9 98 0-2, FB8 99 Groundout to third base (PC- Gio Gonzalez)

5. Bruce-  FB9 93 0-1, Sl 81 1-1, Sl9 81 2-1, FB3 95 SS 2-2, FB3 95 3-2, FB6 95 SOL

I spoke of Heath Bell and Todd Coffey having a race out of the pen.

I'd like to figure out who the fastest player in baseball is; maybe that's something they can add in accordance to the Home Run Derby because does anyone really care about the softball game?

I'd love to see Dee Brown, Andrew McCutchen and Michael Bourn square off to see who can circle the bases the fastest. What do you guys think? 

Top of the 9th

Joel Hanrahan in to pitch

3. Young- FB8 97 1-0, FB2 97 Foul 1-1, FB7 97 1-2, FB1 97 Foul, Sl7 87 SOS, one out

4. Quentin- FB6 98 Foul, FB7 99 1-1, Sl9 87 SS 1-2, FB1 98 Groundball to shortstop but Castro makes a throwing error, man on 2nd one out

5. Joyce- FB6 99 1-0, FB7 98 Foul, FB7 98 2-1, FB9 99 3-1, FB1 98 base hit right field, throwing error by Bruce allows Joyce to go to 2nd, men on 2nd and 3rd one out (PC- Brian Wilson)

6. Cuddyer- FB1 94 Flyout to right field, Quentin at third does not tag, men on 2nd and third two outs

7. Konerko- Cut3 90 0-1, Cut4 89 SS 0-2, Cut 88 1-2, Cut7 89 2-2, FB3 95 Foul, Cut4 90 Groundout to shortstop ends the game.

Brian Wilson and his 364-day beard notches the save, and for the second consecutive year the NL takes the All Star Game 5-1.

Summary

AL- 000 100 000 1 6 0

NL- 000 310 10X 5 9 2

WP- Jonny Venters

LP- C.J. Wilson

Save- Brian Wilson

It wasn't a memorable game by any means, and the absence of many American League pitching aces seemed to hinder their chances at winning this game. They were unable to send Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez, David Price, Jon Lester, CC Sabathia, James Shields and Mariano Rivera.

Instead, Ron Washington had to send out hurlers who quite frankly didn't have much All Star Game experience such as Michael Pineda (although he was filthy), David Robertson, Jordan Walden, C.J. Wilson, Alexi Ogando and Brandon League.

We've had a lot of memorable All Star Games in the past few games, but this one was a snoozefest.

Once Prince Fielder hit the three-run shot, the game seemed to be over, and ultimately it was.