The future of international cricket could be set for its biggest shake-up in years after the International Cricket Council’s annual conference in Edinburgh last week.
Cease, bullpen combine on 3-hitter in AL’s 4-0 win, first All-Star shutout since 2013
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dylan Cease struck out the side in the first inning, combining with 10 relievers on a three-hitter in a show of pitching dominance that led the American League to a 4-0 win over the National League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game.
All-Star MVP Cody Bellinger hit a two-run single and Ben Rice followed with an RBI single in the first against Cristopher Sánchez of the host Philadelphia Phillies.
Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox added an eighth-inning home run off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Wrobleski, who was pitching on his 26th birthday, for the game’s only extra-base hit. The AL won for the 18th time in 23 games and holds a 49-45-2 advantage overall.
Singles by Juan Soto in the fourth, Pete Crow-Armstrong in the eighth and Otto Lopez in the ninth were the only hits by the NL, which failed to advance a runner past first.
Pitchers combined for 27 strikeouts, 15 by AL hurlers.
Cease struck out Kyle Schwarber, Soto and CJ Abrams around a walk in the first inning. He became just the seventh pitcher to strike out three in an All-Star opening inning after Carl Hubbell (1934), Warren Spahn (1949), Jim Palmer (1977), Dave Stieb (1983), Pedro Martinez (1999) and Brad Penny (2006) — four of them Hall of Famers.
Parker Messick, Michael Wacha, Joe Ryan, Nick Martinez, Cade Smith, Drew Rasmussen, Jacob Latz, Louis Varland, Aroldis Chapman and Bryan Baker finished the first All-Star shutout since the AL’s 2-0 win in 2013 at New York’s Citi Field.
Some starting star power was missing, with Jacob Misoriowski, Paul Skenes and Shohei Ohtani all unavailable. Just six pitches reached 100 mph, the fewest in an All-Star Game since 2021.
Bellinger and Rice both singled on up sinkers from Sánchez, who struggled through a 34-pitch inning that included three hits and two walks.
“It just took me a little time to soak it all in and enjoy it,” Sánchez said through a translator.
Mike Trout, a 12-time All-Star who hadn’t played in the game since 2019 because of injuries, went 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
Early exit
Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero was hit on the outside of his left hand by a 97.6 mph sinker from St. Louis closer Riley O’Brien in the third inning and immediately left the game. The 23-year-old, fourth in the major leagues with 28 home runs, stayed down for a few moments before he popped up and ran straight into the clubhouse. X-rays were negative.
Documenting the day
Managers and starters entered through replica Liberty Bells in front of each dugout, walked to home plate and used a feathered quill to sign an oversized lineup card, as if they were Founding Fathers affixing names to the Declaration of Independence. The dirt was surrounded by 13 stars, one for each of the Colonies.
Fireworks were set off after the fourth inning to a video of Ray Charles singing “America the Beautiful” at Game 2 of the 2001 World Series.
Philadelphia was awarded this year’s All-Star Game in 2019 an unusually long lead time to coincide with the U.S. 250th semiquincentennial. The Phillies hosted the 1976 and ’96 games at Veterans Stadium and the Athletics in 1943 and ’52 at Shibe Park.
At the 1996 game, there was a hard hit even before the first pitch. Cal Ripken Jr.’s nose was broken when struck by a forearm of Chicago White Sox reliever Roberto Hernandez when he lost his balance on a platform during the AL team picture.
Next year’s game is scheduled for the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field for the first time since 1990 but is threatened by possible labor strife.
American League's three-run first inning more than enough in 4-0 win at 2026 MLB All-Star Game
The American League scored three first-inning runs and went on to a largely uneventful 4-0 win over the National League on Tuesday night in Philadelphia.
The NL managed only three hits. The game featured only one extra-base hit, an eighth-inning solo home run by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas.
Using a total of 11 pitchers, the AL racked up 15 strikeouts. They produced the first shutout in an All-Star game since 2013.
Here are the top takeaways
-Perhaps the No. 1 takeaway, unfortunately, was the noticeable lack of star power in the game. Some of that was due to bad luck, with Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani out due to injuries, while Tarik Skubal is just back from his elbow injury.
But some of it was an avoidable problem, with some of the game’s best pitchers out because they pitched on Sunday, the final day games are played before the All-Star break.
-Jacob Misiorowski, the hardest-thrower in baseball, and Paul Skenes, reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, both fell into that category, as did ZackWheeler, though he originally went unselected for the team and then turned down an honorary offer to be part of the team.
In any case, MLB could solve the problem by pushing the All-Star Game back to Wednesday, which seems reasonable since the break has been extended in recent years, as most teams don’t resume until Friday.
As it turned out, pitching dominated anyway, as is often the case in these games, but it's the star power that fans want to see, especially in the form of power arms and high velocity.
-Cam Schlittler fit into that category also, though he chose to sit out, citing the need to rest up for the second half of the season. Though there seemed enough uncertainty that if Blue Jays manager John Schneider had been willing to name him to start the game, Schlittler could have been convinced to pitch.
-With so little offense in the game, the Yankees’ Cody Bellinger was named the MVP, thanks to his two-run single in the first inning that gave the AL a 2-0 lead.
He and fellow Yankee Ben Rice had a big impact early in the game, each driving in runs off NL starter Cristopher Sanchez.
Bellinger came up with the bases loaded and two outs, and on a 2-2 count, lined a single up the middle off a 95-mph sinker from Sanchez, driving home the first two runs of the game.
Rice followed with a similar single up the middle on a 1-0 pitch, a 97-mph sinker that Sanchez left belt-high, to make it 3-0 for the AL.
Both Bellinger and Rice came up with runners in scoring position again in the third. However, Bellinger flied out to Juan Soto in left and Rice struck out swinging – both against Cardinals’ right-hander Riley O’Brien.
-Soto, who was booed loudly by Phillies’ fans during introductions (along with players for the Yankees, Dodgers, and Braves), struck out in the first inning for the NL team against Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease, swinging and missing at an 0-2 fastball on the outside corner at 94 mph.
In his second at-bat against Twins right-hander Joe Ryan, Soto hit a hard ground ball up the middle for a single. It was the NL’s only hit until Pete Crow-Armstrong singled in the eighth inning.
-In the second inning, FOX tried what play-by-play announcer Joe Davis called a “round-table discussion” with three pitchers, Justin Verlander, Schlittler, and Misiorowski, as well as game analyst John Smoltz, and it didn’t go particularly well.
First of all, the top of the second inning went quickly, 1-2-3, allowing for only one answer from each pitcher. Same for the bottom of the second, another 1-2-3 inning, and neither Misiorowski nor Schlittler was expansive with their answers, leaving Verlander to do most of the talking about his Hall of Fame career.
In retrospect, it was a bad idea, trying too hard to be creative. FOX would have been better off simply interviewing Verlander, who seemed most comfortable talking from the dugout.
-Then there was the in-game interview with Kyle Schwarber during his at-bat in the third inning. I get that FOX wants to try to spice up the telecast, but it’s rare when these interviews turn out to be worth doing.
Schwarber seemed to be a willing participant, trying to offer his thoughts on the at-bat, but his earpiece kept falling out, and he was frantically trying to put it back in between pitches before hitting a hard ground ball to second for the final out of the inning.
At least the interview with Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop during the same inning was going well, with Witt offering enthusiastic answers, but then Davis and Smoltz had to cut that short when Schwarber came up to hit.
FOX tried the at-bat interview once more, with Bryce Harper in the sixth against Guardians reliever Cade Smith, and it did produce a little humor, as he challenged a called strike, the first challenge of the game. However, Harper’s heart wasn’t really in it.
“Why not?” he joked, before admitting: “That’s a strike.”
And sure enough, the call was confirmed and Harper went on to strike out swinging at a splitter in the dirt.
Willson Contreras' passion overflowed in All-Star Game: 'A lot of memories'
PHILADELPHIA — Willson Contreras, for better or worse, leaves all his emotions on the baseball field.
For two days at the 96th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, it made for fantastic entertainment as the passion of the Philadelphia fan was no match for the Venezuelan All-Star from the Boston Red Sox.
Heck, Contreras did not find a man on the field he could not hug during the Tuesday, July 14 game at Citizens Bank Park. He engulfed home plate umpire Alan Porter in a hug. Ran directly at San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez after a force out – and then wrapped his countryman in a warm embrace.
And, perhaps most poignantly, shared the field with brother William – yes, they hugged at home plate – for the first time in an All-Star Game.
A night earlier, Contreras successfully met the challenge of the Philly fan, advancing past the first round of the Home Run Derby while hometown favorite Bryce Harper was eliminated. Come Tuesday night’s introductions, the crowd at the Bank roared thunderous boos on Contreras, who cupped his hand to his ear.
In short: A lot.
"Man, a lot of stuff. Hanging out with the guys, a bunch of new guys we’ve played against," says Contreras. "You don’t know them as a person. You meet them here. I’m glad to get the invitation to the All-Star Game to meet new guys, new faces.
"Having my family here. Playing with my brother. The Home Run Derby – the fans booing me. There’s a lot of memories I made in two days."
Those feelings were mutual. Contreras is such a force of nature, he couldn't help but energize an AL squad that won for the 11th time in 13 All-Star Games, a 4-0 conquest over the NL. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has known Contreras a good while - they share an agency, Octagon - and said it was eye-opening to share a dugout with the 11-year veteran for the first time.
"The way he plays the game - hard - it's a lot of fun to be on his side," says Witt. "He loves it. He loves whenever anything like that is going on, so it's special to be around."
One could say few were as deserving. See, Contreras won’t be able to play in the Red Sox’s first game of the second half, serving the final game of a suspension imposed when he had an on-field tiff with Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli, who told Contreras, "Sit down, boy!" after striking him out.
Contreras did not take kindly. And he simply could not return quietly to the dugout.
So this trip to Philly was something of a professional respite, and a chance to reflect on a first half during which he slammed 20 home runs with a .921 OPS for the Red Sox. He plans to sleep in tomorrow, take his family to the beach, and then sit out the final game of his suspension Friday.
And then, back at it, in the second game of a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park.
Contreras had one bit of unfinished business to attend to before leaving Citizens Bank Park. A countryman handed him a Venezuelan flag, and Contreras took a few minutes to sign it.
He has been, of course, perhaps the most outspoken and passionate Venezuelan ballplayer to speak on the devastating earthquakes that struck his homeland last month.
And so his message reflected the road ahead for his country, and, one would guess, words he’d live by as well.
"Together, we are going to have a renaissance.
"Together, be emphatic.
"We deserve the best."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Willson Contreras' passion overflowed in All-Star Game: 'A lot of memories'
The American League takes the Midsummer Classic 4-0 in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’
Major League Baseball’s night to celebrate its own has finally arrived. The 96th Midsummer Classic took place tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. This is the fifth time an All-Star Game has been held in Philly, but the first time at Citizens Bank Park.
The A’s were represented by two deserving All-stars, Shea Langeliers who was the American League (AL) starting catcher, batting third in the lineup and Nick Kurtz who unfortunately couldn’t play due to his thumb injury.
The American League jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning against the Phillies hometown starter Cristopher Sánchez thanks to a Yordan Alvarez base hit, walks to our own Shea Langeliers, and Bobby Witt Jr. and then singles by the Yankees Cody Belanger and Ben Rice.
Shea led off the third inning against the Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien and singled to centerfield. He was erased on a fielder’s choice by Witt.
Through three innings, the American League hurlers have given up no hits and only one walk to protect their 3-0 lead. That streak ended when Juan Soto singled to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning against Joe Ryan of the Twins. He was stranded at first when the inning ended.
MLB captured the spirit of the game during the fifth inning ceremony with kids riding their bikes to the stadium and breaking through the outfield fence to join the major leaguers on the field for a fireworks display set to the classic version of America the Beautiful performed by Ray Charles.
Pitching continued to dominate for both sides. Through seven innings the National League only mustered one hit while the American League only had five hits.
The AL added to their lead with the first extra base hit of the game in the top of the eighth, a monster homer by the White Sox Miguel Vargas. Headed to the bottom of the eighth the American League led 4-0.
Aroldis Chapman, the Red Sox closer, entered the game in the bottom of the ninth to finish off the National League batters. After two outs, Chapman was replaced with Bryan Baker of the Tampa Bay Rays. Otto Lopez of the Miami Marlins got the third hit of the game with two outs in the ninth. But Baker slammed the door, giving the American League their first shutout in 13 years.
American League pitching dominates NL in 4-0 win
The American League and The National League took the field at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for the ninety-sixth All-Star Game. This is the fifth All-Star Game in history hosted in Philadelphia, and the first since 1996.
Speaking of the number five, the Atlanta Braves had five representatives on the NL All-Star roster. Drake Baldwin and Ozzie Albies were starters, while Matt Olson was a reserve. On the pitching side of things, Chris Sale and Raisel Iglesias were active for the game.
Small little side nugget, Braves legend Hank Aaron holds a tied for the record for most All-Star Games played with twenty-four. It should be noted that for part of his career they played two All-Star Games per year, but it is still a fun Braves stat.
The NL struggled mightily with their bats against the elite AL pitching. Other than the first inning the NL pitching did great as well. Let’s break down what each Braves player was able to accomplish in the game.
Ozzie Albies
Albies, who is having his best season since 2023, was elected as a starter. It is his first All-Star appearance since the aforementioned 2023 season. He hit sixth in the lineup and the first pitcher he saw was Parker Messick in the second inning. Albies swung on the second pitch he saw, which was an outside change up, and grounded out sharply to Bobby Witt Jr. at SS.
In his second at-bat he faced Nick Martinez in the fifth in to a very similar result. This time he swung on a fastball right down the middle on the third pitch from the left side of the plate and grounded out to first baseman Willson Contreras. Albies was replaced in the sixth inning, but he was able to also pick up an assist from second.
Drake Baldwin
Drake Baldwin was also a starter and hit ninth in the order. The first pitcher he faced was Michael Wacha in the third inning. Unfortunately, he struck out looking on the third pitch he saw. Because he was so late in the lineup, that was the only at-bat he got. He was replaced in the fourth inning by former Brave William Contreras.
Baldwin did have a positive outlook on his first all-star experience:
Matt Olson
Olson made his fourth career All-Star appearance and third as a Brave. He was a reserve so he did not get into the game until the replaced former Brave Freddie Freeman at first base in the top of the fifth. He had his first at-bat in the bottom of the seventh. Olson faced Drew Rasmussen. He hung in the at-bat for six pitches to include fouling off a potential third strike, but he ultimately hit a routine fly ball to Randy Arozarena.
Matt Olson was able to get a second at-bat in. This time it was in the ninth and he faced ageless wonder Aroldis Chapman. Olson decided to swing on the first pitch he saw, which was a 97 MPH sinker inside, and somehow popped it up to SS. Defensively Olson picked up four putouts.
Raisel Iglesias
Raisel Iglesias finally made his All-Star debut this season in his twelfth MLB season. It can definitely be argued that he should have way more than one selection so it was nice to finally see him out there. Iglesias came in to pitch in the sixth inning and pitched a scoreless inning. He was able to get Kevin McGonigle to ground out, followed by a deep fly out from Cody Bellinger. He did give up a single to the red hot Willson Contreras, but recovered and forced a ground ball from Randy Arozarena.
Chris Sale
Everyone boo Dave Roberts. He did not put in Chris Sale to pitch his tenth All-Star game when Sale said he was willing to pitch. He also did not put in rival Giants’ Logan Webb. Coincidence?
Overall the game was dominated by the AL pitching. The NL only had three hits the entire game. The NL pitching was not bad except for the first inning for the most part, but they could not get the bats going at all.
Rutschman catches former teammates, AL pitchers dominate in 4-0 win
The Orioles only got to send one representative to the All-Star game this season, but Adley Rutschman earned the opportunity. Rutschman made his third All Star appearance after slashing .253/.327/.436 in the first half.
Rutschman’s strong start to the season represented a bounceback for the former first overall pick. The Oregon State product posted a below-average 89 OPS+ while missing time with oblique issues in 2025. Baltimore made waves by inking catcher Samuel Basallo to an eight-year extension and signing free agent Pete Alonso to a five-year deal, but it was Rutschman representing the Orioles in Philadelphia tonight.
Basallo and Alonso have played well for Baltimore. Alonso felt like a legitimate snub after slashing .252/.346/.474 with 21 homers in the first half, but Rutschman deserves credit for finding his way back into the spotlight.
That spotlight came with questions about trade rumors and potential contract extensions. Rutschman handled himself well this week without expressing anything really worthy of discussion. The backstop said he’s had a “phenomenal experience so far with Baltimore,” and reiterated that he doesn’t spend any time thinking about trade rumors or his contract. Rutschman is under team control in Baltimore through next season.
Rutschman was named an All-Star reserve behind AL starter Shea Langeliers and fellow reserve Dillon Dingler. Langeliers entered the break slashing .257/.324/.483 with 21 homers, and Dingler received the nod after slashing .262/.323/.508 with 19 long balls. Langeliers walked and scored a run in the first inning and singled in the third. Dingler struck out in his only at bat.
Rutschman entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning. The backstop fell behind Dodgers’ pitcher Justin Wrobleski 1-2 before grounding out to shortstop in his only at bat. Miguel Vargas followed Rutschman and launched an absolute no-doubt home run to provide the American League a four-run advantage.
The Yankees got the American League on the board with three RBIs in the first inning. Yordan Alvarez, Langeliers and Bobby Witt Jr. all reached to setup scoring opportunities for Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice. National League starter Cristopher Sánchez got ahead of Bellinger 0-2, but the former Dodger lined a base hit up the middle for a two-run single.
Sánchez responded by throwing identical 97 MPH sinkers to Rice. Rice watched the first pitch go by before sending the second pitch 107 MPH back the way it came. Rice’s base hit plated Witt Jr. and provided the American League a three-run advantage.
AL pitchers dominated a National League lineup that featured hometown heros Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Starter Dylan Cease struck out three while chatting with the Fox broadcast booth in the bottom of the first. Parker Messick, Michael Wacha, Nick Martinez, Cade Smith, Jacob Latz and Aroldis Chapman pitched without allowing a hit. Joe Ryan allowed a single to Juan Soto in the fourth, and Louis Varland allowed a base hit to Pete Crow-Armstrong in the eighth.
Former Oriole Bryan Baker entered with two outs in the ninth and allowed the NL’s third hit of the game before retiring Sal Stewart to end the contest. Baltimore sent Baker to Tampa last year in exchange for the 37th overall pick in the 2025 draft. The Orioles selected high school prospect Slater de Brun with the pick but eventually traded him to Tampa in the Shane Baz deal.
Rutschman also received pitches from his former college teammate Drew Rasmussen. The former Beaver and Rays starter is 7-5 with a 3.26 ERA this season.
The game featured plenty of talent but lacked a bit of juice without players like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, José Ramírez, Vlad Guerrero Jr., Jacob Misiorowski, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Zack Wheeler. The lack of offense led to a lack of fireworks in the game, but MLB entertained fans with a massive Sandlot-inspired fireworks show after the fourth inning. The Fox booth conducted several mid-game interviews with players on the bench and actively playing on the field.
Bellinger was named the MVP after his two-run single in the first. Rays star Junior Caminero exited after taking a HBP off his hand, but Fox Sports reported that X-Rays came back negative.
Rutschman and the Orioles will look to extend their current four-game win streak when play resumes on Friday. Baltimore is currently two games back of the third and final wild card spot.
Yankees’ Cody Bellinger wins All-Star Game MVP, sparks first-inning rally in AL win
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game will not go down in history as one of the most memorable Midsummer Classics in the near-century-long history of the event. Highlights on the field were few and far between, broadcast debacles and poorly-executed ideas compromised the viewing experience, and several distracting pieces of vaguely baseball-themed pageantry bloated the presentation of a contest which would have otherwise flown by.
But for our decidedly narrower purposes here at Pinstripe Alley, the game was a splendid success. The American League defeated the National League 4-0 at Citizens Bank Park, fueled by a first-inning rally which was paid off by both Yankees representatives in John Schneider’s starting lineup. The man who drove in the first two runs, Cody Bellinger, was eventually named All-Star Game MVP, the fourth Yankee to ever win the honor. The AL pitching staff limited the NL to just three hits all night in a tidy victory for the Junior Circuit.
The game was listed as beginning at 8pm ET, but fans needn’t have worried about missing the first pitch, which came almost a full half-hour later. All the pomp and circumstance gave way to a dream start for the AL—and the little Yankee contingent nestled within their starting lineup. Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez received the opportunity to start the All-Star Game on his home mound, but he may have been a bit nervous. His command was sporadic as the AL built a rally on a Yordan Alvarez single and a pair of walks. With two outs, Cody Bellinger came up with an opportunity to stake his side to an early advantage.
There are more ideal scenarios to face Bellinger than with two runners in scoring position and a left-handed pitcher on the mound.
Sánchez actually got ahead of Cody 0-2 with a pair of sinkers, then missed low with yet another. He turned to his signature changeup but missed badly inside. Having lost some confidence on that pitch, Sánchez returned to the sinker and left it belt-high in the strike zone. Bellinger swatted it up the middle and past shortstop CJ Abrams to score a pair.
Thanks to this early knock in the low-scoring game, Bellinger was awarded the All-Star Game MVP. He joins Derek Jeter (2000), Mariano Rivera (2013), and Giancarlo Stanton (2022) as the lone Yankees to win the honor. Congrats to Cody!
Ben Rice wasted little time coming up with a nearly-identical result two pitches later. The first-time All-Star took a first-pitch sinker from the desperate southpaw, who was fully scared off from his changeup. Another sinker came down the pipe, and Rice capitalized. He found the same hole Bellinger did, grounding it up the gap to the right of second base to bring in yet another run. Thanks to the two hard-hit singles from the Yankees, the AL led 3-0. Who needs Aaron Judge?
(That is a rhetorical question.)
The NL failed to respond in kind to Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease, who struck out three batters and walked one in a scoreless opening frame. Cease and Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers wore microphones which they could use to communicate with each other—neither seemed all that interested in providing engaging radio in the process. It’s clear FOX was trying to replicate the success of mic’ing up Nestor Cortes and Jose Trevino back in 2022 without recognizing what made that pairing work—they were Yankee teammates, for starters.
The second proceeded with little incident, as Eduardo Rodríguez and Parker Messick provided scoreless innings. Things went pear-shaped in the third inning though. Cardinals breakout reliever Riley O’Brien entered for the road third, and misfired on a fastball to Junior Caminero—the pitch hit the burgeoning Rays superstar on the wrist. Caminero fell to the ground, then wasted little time racing down the dugout tunnel and out of the game. X-rays taken during the game were negative, but it was a scary moment that put a damper on the festivities.
The show had to go on, however. After a truly pointless and unsuccessful All-Star Game challenge(???), the Yankee duo got more opportunities to drive in runs with two runners aboard. They were decidedly less successful the second time: Bellinger popped out to Juan Soto—of all people—on the first pitch he saw from O’Brien. Rice struck out swinging on a nasty 1-2 changeup to retire the side. Hey, at least they came through in the first.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Ben Rice exited the game to make way for fellow AL East denizen and Home Run Derby competitor Willson Conteras. Bellinger remained in right field, but Twins righty Joe Ryan pitched a scoreless inning without a ball being hit his way.
The folks at Citizens Bank Park appeared to expend their entire pyrotechnic budget in between the fourth and fifth. On what, I’m not entirely sure. But there were a lot of fireworks. When we came back from that display, the playing field was swamped by a thick layer of smoke—just another complication in an absurd presentation put on by MLB tonight.
Interestingly, Bellinger joined Mike Trout as the only two All-Star starters to take three plate appearances tonight. Cody got his third turn at bat in the top of the sixth inning against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias, and gave the 1-0 offering a good ride to the opposite field. Corbin Carroll tracked it down in the gap, though. Iglesias worked around a two-out single from Contreras to put up yet another zero on the box score—those three Yankee ribbies continued to stand up as the only scoring entering the game’s latter third.
In the top of the seventh, breakout Dodger lefty Justin Wrobleski turned in one of the better pitching performances of the night by striking out the side. While Wrobleski and his bottom-of-the-inning counterpart, Drew Rasmussen, are deserving All-Stars, their appearances underscored another unfortunate aspect of this year’s game: a relative lack of household names taking the mound.
To wit, here are just a few starting pitchers who didn’t participate in the game tonight: Paul Skenes, Jacob Misiorowski, Chris Sale, Shohei Ohtani, and Yankees breakout star Cam Schlittler. Of course, this is an annual issue with the All-Star Game, but the timing felt particularly poor for this year’s crop of star hurlers.
We finally got another run in the top of the eighth inning courtesy of White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas. Vargas drew in for the injured Caminero in the third, and in his second at-bat, he took Wrobleski to the second deck in left field for a massive solo shot, giving the American League a good-measure insurance run.
I got one last chuckle out of this game when John Schneider pulled Aroldis Chapman from the game with two outs in the ninth to give the final out to a Ray. Bryan Baker did the honors by fielding a comebacker from Sal Stewart to record the first All-Star Game shutout since 2013. Was that fun? I’m not sure.
Enjoy the rest of the All-Star Break, everybody! The Yankees have even more reasons to enjoy it given the way Bellinger and Rice represented them tonight. Their first assignment out of the intermission will come in the Bronx on Friday, as the defending back-to-back champion Dodgers come to town. First pitch for the series opener is set for 7:05 PM, with coverage on YES.
Jacob Misiorowski 'ready to go for the second half' despite arm fatigue concerns
PHILADELPHIA — Jacob Misiorowski's second trip to the MLB All-Star Game was much different than his first.
The Milwaukee Brewers' young pitching phenom seems to be okay with that.
"Honestly, I think it was a little bit more fun in a way," Misiorowski said in a media scrum outside of the National League clubhouse in the basement of Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14. "There's no stress that comes with it. I didn't have to worry about pitching, and I could just have fun, talk to guys, really just soak it all in."
He said he spent his two days in Philadelphia — where he was greeted by Phillies fans with a rather Brotherly Love welcome during pregame introduction on Tuesday — spending time on the field and talking to pitchers like the Atlanta Braves' Chris Sale, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes and the San Francisco Giants' Logan Webb.
The main reason Misiorowski's second trip to the Midsummer Classic was different than the one last year, which caused a bit of controversy as it came just five games into his big league career, was the fact that he was ineligible to pitch.
Originally scheduled to pitch the Brewers' final game of the first half against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, but the National League Central standings leaders skipped that start due to arm fatigue. Misiorowski was slated to go head-to-head against Skenes.
"A little forearm stuff," Misiorowski said on July 11 after his start was pushed back. "Nothing crazy. Just didn’t bounce back. A little quick on the days off between but nothing crazy. We also have this long break."
So how is Misiorowski feeling with a little bit more rest since his last start on July 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he struck out 11 hitters over seven innings of work? For starters, it doesn't seem he is concerned about missing his next start after the All-Star break.
"We're good, yeah," said Misiorowski, who leads the majors with 167 strikeouts on the season. "Ready to go for the second half."
Jacob Misiorowski does not sound like someone concerned about missing his next turn through the rotation. pic.twitter.com/fYQadvPd1P
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) July 15, 2026
Misiorowski, who went 10-4 with a 1.62 ERA in 18 starts in the first half, will spend the rest of the All-Star break in Milwaukee and get further treatment.
"Can go back home and get some treatment from our trainers and work out, get ready for whatever game they decide I'm going to throw," Misiorowski said. "Nothing too crazy."
As for a target date for his first start of the second half, the 24-year-old, who is in contention for his first National League Cy Young Award, said there isn't one, but he'll be ready for whenever Brewers manager Pat Murphy and his staff tell him he has the ball next.
"First game, second game, third game, fourth game, fifth game, somewhere in there. I don't know," Misiorowski said with a smile.
The Brewers open the second half of the season on Friday, July 17 against the Miami Marlins at 7:40 p.m. ET at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jacob Misiorowski 'ready to go for the second half' despite arm fatigue concerns
Yankees' Cody Bellinger drives in two runs, earns 2026 All-Star Game MVP honors
Cody Bellinger can add another accolade to his storied career.
The Yankees outfielder was named 2026 MLB All-Star Game MVP after going 1-for-3 with a two-run single.
Bellinger's hit came in his first at-bat in the first inning. National League starter Cristopher Sanchez of the Phillies labored in his one inning at the Midsummer Classic. Sanchez allowed a hit and walked two to bring up Bellinger with two outs. Bellinger, hitting sixth in the American League lineup, worked back from an 0-2 count, taking two offspeed pitches for balls before Sanchez made the mistake of leaving a 96 mph sinker over the heart of the plate. Bellinger laced a 101.1 mph single to open up the scoring.
"Baseball’s a funny game. He’s such a dominant pitcher and his stuff is so good," Bellinger said of his first-inning at-bat. "Really, for me, it’s all the guys in front of me. Base hit, a walk. Bobby [Witt Jr.] had a great at-bat in front of me. Saw like eight pitches. Bases loaded, two outs, just tried to keep it simple.
"Pitching today was just dominant; it was nasty. Hard to score some runs. Just try to stay within myself and try to get the job done there."
Bellinger later admitted that he didn't think his single in the top half of the first inning would hold up to grab the Ted Williams Award.
"Not in the moment," he said. "As the game went on, the pitching was just absolutely dominant."
In the game, the AL had three of their seven hits in a three-run first inning, and the NL didn't tally a base hit until the fourth as they managed just three singles and were shut out for the first time in over a decade.
Cody Bellinger drives in the first two runs of the All-Star Game! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xJJtsi5om4
— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) July 15, 2026
Yankees first baseman Ben Rice followed up with a single to drive in another run. It was more than enough as the AL pitching staff struck out 15 batters in the 4-0 win.
"I was so excited for him, especially seeing him drive in those two runs early from the on-deck circle," Rice said of his teammate. "I was so fired up for him.
"I was just so happy for him and his family."
It's the third All-Star appearance for Bellinger, but his first since 2019, when he won NL MVP as a member of the Dodgers.
"Took a long time to get back," Bellinger said of his 2026 All-Star experience. "It’s such a competitive league. It’s hard to be an All-Star. Health, performance, it all has to come together. This one, I just really enjoyed it."
With the honor, Bellinger became just the fifth Yankee to win the award, joining Derek Jeter (2000), Mariano Rivera (2013) and Giancarlo Stanton (2022).
"It’s special, man. Wearing this jersey, I feel proud wearing it," Bellinger said of joining that list. "It comes with a lot. I try to put my best foot forward and give it everything I got."
Ben Rice with an RBI single!
— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) July 15, 2026
Yankees hitters drive in all three runs for the American League in the first inning 👏 pic.twitter.com/AFFbSaYJnC
American League shuts out National League 4-0
Last year the All-Star game was decided by a home run swing-off, to which the National League ultimately prevailed. This year, nine innings were more than enough for the American League to secure a shutout victory for their first All-Star Game win since 2024.
Cristopher Sánchez gave the hometown crowd an electric start by striking out Mike Trout to begin things in the top of the first inning. The excitement was short-lived, as Yordan Alvarez singled up the middle before Sánchez walked Shea Langeliers.
Junior Caminero moved both runners over on a ground out, but a walk to Bobby Witt Jr. loaded the bases with two outs. The duo of Yankees helped the American League strike first, as old friend Cody Bellinger drove in two on a single up the middle and Ben Rice drove home Witt in identical fashion. Sánchez ended the first inning with a strikeout of Riley Greene, but needed to face eight hitters to let the National League lineup take over.
For the American League’s starting pitcher, Dylan Cease, he faced just four hitters in the bottom of the first, allowing a two-out walk to Freddie Freeman while striking out three.
Both offenses stifled over the next two innings, as Parker Messick and Michael Wacha allowed zero baserunners to complete three combined no-hit innings on the mound for the AL. Juan Soto broke up the no-hit bid with a single to begin the bottom of the fourth inning, but that was all the NL could muster against right-hander Joe Ryan.
The AL pitching kept holding their own against the NL, as their only baserunner after the Soto single was a walk to Sal Stewart from Drew Rasmussen with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The only highlight during that time for the NL was Justin Wrobleski’s All-Star debut, as the now 26-year-old celebrated his birthday by striking out the side in a perfect top of the seventh inning.
The left-hander returned for the top of the eighth inning, but his old teammate Miguel Vargas produced the first run of the game since the first inning with a towering 433 foot home run to left field, increasing the AL lead to four. Wrobleski bounced back after the home run to add his strikeout total on the night to five.
Pete Crow-Armstrong and Otto Lopez had the only other hits for the National League with a single in the bottom of the eighth, but three hits in one game for any side was the least amount of hits in an All-Star Game since 2013 when the NL team had three hits. It is the first time that any team has been shut out in the All-Star Game since 2013. The NL struck out an All-Star Game record 15 times on Tuesday.
Final lines for Dodgers All-Stars
- Freddie Freeman— 0-1, walk, strikeout
- Max Muncy— 0-2, 2 popouts
- Andy Pages— 0-2, strikeout, groundout
- Justin Wrobleski— 2 IP, 1 hit, 1 run, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts, 29 pitches
All-Star Game particulars
- Home runs— Miguel Vargas
- WP—Dylan Cease: 1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts
- LP—Cristopher Sánchez: 1 IP, 3 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts
- ASG MVP— Cody Bellinger: 1-3, 2 RBI
Up next
The Dodgers kick off the second half of the 2026 regular season on Friday, facing the New York Yankees in the Bronx (4:05 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA).
Yankees' Cody Bellinger quiets Philadelphia crowd, wins All-Star Game MVP
New York Yankees players were met with arguably the loudest boos during the All-Star Game festivities in Philadelphia.
So it was only natural that a Yankees player got the last word.
Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger was named the All-Star Game MVP during the American League's 4-0 victory, their 11th win in the past 13 Midsummer Classics.
Bellinger's two-out, two-run single got the AL on the board in the top of the first inning off Philadelphia Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez. Ben Rice, Bellinger's Yankees teammate, followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0.
Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game with Fubo
Who won the Home Run Derby?
Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals defeated Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber to claim the title of Home Run King on Monday night.
USA TODAY at MLB All-Star Game
The 2026 Midsummer Classic has arrived, and USA TODAY will have reporters on the ground in Philadelphia and at home eager to deliver the goods. From media day and the Home Run Derby, to the red carpet and All-Star Game, we'll have everything covered.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yankees' Cody Bellinger quiets Philadelphia crowd, wins All-Star Game MVP
Re-energized Juan Soto hopes to push Mets turnaround after All-Star break
Juan Soto feels re-energized coming out of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game as the Mets look to bounce back from a disappointing first half of the season.
"I'm really positive, I think this break was really good for me," Soto said after coming out of the game for the top of the fifth inning. "Get to see so many players, grab so much advice for them, and tried to put in work for my team."
Asked what he expects from the season's second half, the Mets' All-Star said the plan is to turn the page.
"A turnaround, that’s what I’m expecting,” he said when asked about the remaining 65 games. “Try to get these guys going. We have a lot of talent in there and talent that can do damage. I feel like we have guys that, they can do it all."
While it was a "first half to forget," Soto said the intention is to stay positive. "It’s a long season with plenty of games left, and we’re going to try to win as many as we can," he said, adding later that the plan is to put the first half "behind us, and start from scratch."
On the field during the Midsummer Classic, a 4-0 victory for the American League, Soto struck out swinging in the bottom of the first before driving a leadoff single up the middle to start the fourth, the first hit for the squad representing the Senior Circuit.
"It's always great," he said of his All-Star Game hit. "To be here and get a knock against the best pitchers in the league, it's always good."
Asked about his approach against the American League's Dylan Cease and Joe Ryan, Soto laughed, "Just see it and hit it. That was kinda what we got in there, just try to see it and try to do damage."
Before the game, Soto got a hearty welcome from the fans in Philadelphia, as was expected from the citizens of the City of Brotherly Love.
"It's great," the Mets' slugger said. "Like they always say, 'If they booing you, you doing things right.' So, I just embrace it, enjoy it, take it. Take a deep breath, keep moving."
Soto said he wasn't surprised about the boos, calling Philly fans "really passionate."
And those passionate fans extended the same honor to Mr. and Mrs. Met.
Juan Soto receives his boos as he’s introduced at the All-Star Game in Philadelphia 😂 pic.twitter.com/g9LtO0hqgz
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 15, 2026
Mr. & Mrs. Met receive loud boos as they’re introduced in Philadelphia for the All-Star Game 😂 pic.twitter.com/3qhYPDM3WA
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 14, 2026
Three hits? Really?: American League 4, National League 0
Sometimes, the All-Star Games are thrillers, last year being the one that jumps immediately to mind thanks to recency bias the swing off to win the game. Other times, there are snoozers where not a whole lot happens.
Tonight was definitely the latter.
The American League pitching staff dominated the National League lineup, striking out 15 NL hitters on the night and taking the game, 4-0. Luckily, this is an exhibition again and means nothing in terms of the World Series. However, this is where we focus on the Phillies. It leads to the question: how did the Phillies do in the game to represent our great city?
Well…
Cristopher Sanchez
Yikes.
Sanchez was given the honor of starting the game for the National League, a deserved honor based on his body of work last year and this year where he has continued his ascent to the top of many starting pitcher rankings. Tonight? That wasn’t the case. Sanchez struggled quite a bit in his inning of work, allowing three runs in the opening frame thanks to control that was largely nonexistent. Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was nerves, but Sanchez had a hard time landing his stuff where he wanted it to go, leading to uncharacteristic walks and hard hit balls. He struck out Mike Trout to start the inning before Yordan Alvarez singled up the middle, followed by a walk to Shea Langeliers. Junior Caminero grounded out for the second out and it looked like Sanchez would sneak out of trouble, but another walk to Bobby Witt, Jr. loaded the bases.
Then, the Yankees hit. Back to back singles from Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice plated three before Sanchez struck out Riley Greene to end the frame. It wasn’t the greatest performance by a Phillies pitcher, but hey, it’s just an exhibition.
Kyle Schwarber
A large theme of the night was the National League not hitting at all. Schwarber was a culprit on the night, going 0 for 2 with a strikeout, not covering himself in glory. He did give a great soundbite though.
FOX chose to mic up several players on the evening, Schwarber being one of them. His earpiece fell out after a swing, which meant a mid at bat adjustment.
Classic.
Brandon Marsh
If Schwarber didn’t do anything, Marsh may have done less. Making his All-Star debut, Marsh was able to get two at bats in the game…..and struck out in both. Like I said the other day, Marsh looks like he needs some time off from baseball, but he did make a kid’s night on the field during that Sandlot thing.
Bryce Harper
Hey look! Another Phillies hitter striking out! Cool though is that there was another soundbite since, again, FOX!
Jesus Luzardo
As rough of an outing as Sanchez had, Jesus Luzardo was pretty much the polar opposite. He looked great in his inning of work, getting the fourth inning for the National League and setting the American League down in order. He even got Riley Green to strike out on a nasty, nasty sweeper that has come to define him in his tenure here in Philadelphia.
Jhoan Duran
Almost an afterthought, Dave Roberts was able to get Duran into the game in the ninth inning after Mason Miller got the first out of the innings. Duran came in (maybe he had his entrance, maybe he didn’t, who knows because again – FOX!) and got two outs after allowing a single to Randy Arozarena.
Juan Soto laughs off boos, singles in All-Star Game
Sometimes you have to tune out the haters.
Juan Soto did just that in Philadelphia when he was introduced at Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game. In enemy territory, Phillies fans booed him so loudly that he couldn’t help but smile.
Making his fifth All-Star appearance, Soto went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout against a pair of pitchers he’s historically struggled against. The AL defeated the NL 4-0, with Soto’s knock among the NL’s three hits.
Batting second and starting in left field, Soto struck out by chasing an outside fastball against AL starter and Toronto Blue Jays’ ace Dylan Cease. Soto is just 2-for-11 with five strikeouts and a home run against Cease all-time.
Soto finally got the better of Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan, singling up the middle in the fourth inning. Soto is 0-for-7 in his career against Ryan. Soto’s single was the only NL hit until Chicago Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong singled in the eighth inning.
Soto was brilliant for the Mets in the first half of the season despite missing multiple weeks with a leg injury. He’s second in the NL in OPS (.967) and tied for seventh in home runs (21).
The Mets are back in action Thursday against the Phillies at 7:10 EDT on ESPN.