MIAMI — Seattle’s Robinson Cano hit a leadoff home run in the 10th inning off Wade Davis of the Chicago Cubs, and the American League topped the National League 2-1 in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
Boston closer Craig Kimbrel got the win, pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Andrew Miller of the Indians pitched the bottom of the 10th for the save.
It was the first extra-inning home run in an All-Star Game since Tony Perez hit one exactly 50 years ago – July 11, 1967. Perez threw out one of the ceremonial first pitches before Tuesday’s game.
Cano was named the game’s MVP.
The AL won the All-Star Game for the fifth straight time, pulling even in the all-time series – 43-43-2.
Miller allowed a two-out walk in the 10th, but retired the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger to end the game for the AL.
St. Louis’ Yadier Molina homered for the NL.
So the AL gets pride and bragging rights, but no edge in October now. Major League Baseball no longer awards home-field advantage for the World Series based on the result of the All-Star Game, ending that policy this year after 14 seasons.
Chris Sale started for the American League and pitched two scoreless innings.
Runs were sparse through the first nine innings with each team scoring once, sending the game to extra innings for the first time since 2008 at Yankee Stadium.
Kimbrel pitched out of trouble in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game to extra innings. Molina walked and went to second on a passed ball and to third on a flyout to center. Kimbrel struck out Michael Conforto of the Mets to end the inning.
The AL took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning. Baltimore’s Jonathan Schoop hit a two-out double and scored on Miguel Sano’s bloop single to right field.
Sale allowed three singles. He also struck out two, throwing 28 pitches. He was replaced by Yankees reliever Dellin Betances to start the third inning.
Boston’s Mookie Betts started in right field for the AL and was 0 for 2.
Betts shined in the field in the bottom of the fourth, throwing out Colorado’s Nolan Arendo, who was trying to tag up from first on a flyout by Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman.
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