Eric Hosmer hit a solo homer in the second inning and had an RBI single an inning later and was chosen as the MVP as the American League defeated the National League, 4-2, Tuesday in Major League Baseball‘s All-Star Game at Petco Park.
The victory was the American League’s fourth straight and will give its champion home field advantage in the World Series.
Although the game was played in a National League park, the American League batted as the home team because last year’s All-Star Game was also played in a National League park, Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark.
Former University of San Diego star Kris Bryant hit a solo homer off Chris Sale in the top of the first to open the scoring.
Hosmer’s homer off Johnny Cueto tied the score. Hosmer’s Kansas Royals teammate Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer two batters later.
Hosmer’s one-out single in the third drove in Edwin Encarnacion to give the American League a 4-1 lead.
The National League cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the fourth on Marcell Ozuna’s RBI single.
The National League loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, but pinch-hitter Aledmys Diaz took a full-count pitch from Will Harris for a called third strike to end the inning.
Daniel Murphy singled leading off the National League’s ninth, but Zach Britton got Paul Goldschmidt to ground into a force and Nolan Arenado to ground into a double play.
Corey Kluber, the second of 10 American League pitchers, pitched a perfect second with one strikeout for the victory. Britton was credited with the save. Cueto was charged with the loss, allowing three runs and five hits over 1 2/3 innings.
San Diego Padres first baseman Wil Myers started the game as the National League’s designated hitter and was one for three with a fifth-inning double.
The Padres other representative, Drew Pomeranz, was the third of nine National League pitchers, allowing one hit in the fourth inning.
Cole Hamels, who played at Rancho Bernardo High School; pitched the third inning for the American League, allowing two hits and striking out a batter.
Pregame events included a parade led by former Padres stars Trevor Hoffman and Dave Winfield, through the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village to Petco Park.
San Diego tourism leaders have been looking forward to the game and its economic impact since it was awarded to San Diego in January 2015.
“The Major League Baseball All-Star Game will have a significant, positive impact on San Diego,” Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority told City News Service.
“Not only will there be an enormous economic impact that’s expected to reach $70 million, but the event also offers a chance to showcase the destination to hundreds of millions of viewers,” Terzi said.
“More than 2,000 media are expected to cover the All-Star Game, and potential travelers around the world will get a glimpse of San Diego’s incredible weather and beautiful downtown as they tune in to watch the game.”
While the economic impact estimate has been challenged, there is no denying that numerous visitors have come to San Diego, and that the city will be presented to baseball fans around the U.S. and the world during a period of tremendous weather.
— City News Service