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AL WINS 3-2
AL Booms Towards A Victory
The AL dominance continues
The Yankees Giancarlo Stanton and the Twins Byron Buxton hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning, powering the AL to another victory over the NL. Stanton's was a game-tying two-run shot while Buxton's was the go-ahead shot. As the first shot had a bit of an impact, Stanton was named the MVP of the Midsummer Classic.
The NL jumped in-front in the first inning off Tampa Bay Rays starter Shane McClanahan. The Dodgers Mookie Betts drove in the first run of the game with a RBI single. Then the Cardinals Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo home run to put them up in-front 2-0. That was pretty much all the NL could muster as AL pitchers took over from there.
With the game returning to an exhibition format without anything on the line, the players enjoyed themselves. It would have been interesting if the game ended up in a tie after 9 innings and a home run derby commenced to determine a winner.
The game moves up to Seattle for the 93rd edition of the Midsummer Classic
JUAN SOTO IS THE DERBY CHAMP
In exciting fashion, the Nationals Juan Soto edged out Mariners super rookie, Julio Rodriguez 19-18 to be this year's Home Run Derby champion. Soto started out slow for the first 45 seconds, only to catch the stroke and be on fire before taking a timeout. After the timeout, he remained hot as he hit the nine needed to win the annual pre All-Star Game contest. Soto had to get passed the Guardians Jose Ramirez and the Cardinals Albert Pujols to reach the finals.
As for the runner-up, the Mariners Julio Rodriguez literally stole the show with his 81 home run performance in the derby, It was highlighted with the ouster of home run champ, Pete Alonso, in the semifinals as he showed off a barrage of 31 home runs. Prior to that round, he tore off 32 home runs to beat the Rangers Corey Seager. Overall, an explosive debut that is surly a lock to win the AL Rookie Of The Year.
Other notable highlights include the Cardinals Albert Pujols beating the #1 seed (Kyle Schwarber in the first-round).and.the Braves Ronald Acuna hitting a home run out of Dodger Stadium.
AL WINS 6-4
The Oakland A's have something bright to look forward behind the plate as Shea Langeliers put on a complete performance. The catching prospect helped in the offensive cause as he contributed a home run off his former batterymate (Braves pitching prospect Jared Shuster), In addition: he showed off his cannon as he threw out top Diamondbacks outfield prospect, Corbin Carroll, at third base on an attempted steal. As the end result, he won this year's Larry Doby Futures Game MVP.
Other highlights in this year's edition include Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez down and up game where he made a two-run error resulting in the NL taking the lead: only to make it up with a home run in the very next offensive frame for the AL. Dodgers pitching prospect, Bobby Miller, struck out the side in the first inning. Cardinals shortstop prospect, Masyn Winn, showed off his arm as he fired a throw to first at a little over 100 mph (that mark shattered the previous mark at 97.8 by Pirates rookie shortstop ONeil Cruz). Twins prospect Matt Wallner lasered a two-run home run that measured a high exit velocity as part of a big third-inning for the AL.