Congratulations are in order for the American League All Stars.
The A.L. squad once again prevailed in the Midsummer Classic, thanks to a timely triple from the Tigers' Curtis Granderson, a leaping, game-saving grab by Carl Crawford, and a shut-down save from the Yankees' very own Mariano Rivera (now the all-time leader in All Star Game saves).
Starters Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum both allowed two early runs, but the bullpens stepped up and kept the game close. The National League was entirely shut down after the 2nd inning before threatening against Jonathan Papelbon (the eventual winner) in the 8th. Brad Hawpe was nearly a hero, but Carl Crawford (who was later named MVP) reserved what he described as his first home run-stealing grab for just the right moment and helped keep the A.L. in the lead.
When the 9th inning rolled around, Mariano Rivera was on the mound, which meant one thing: Game over. And after a breezy 1-2-3 inning, Rivera and the A.L. were victorious once more.
Do these guys ever lose? Sure doesn't seem like it... Not since I was nine years old, at least...
