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SEATTLE (AP) — Elias Diaz hit a two-run homer off Felix Bautista in the eighth inning, and the National League snapped a nine-game losing streak in the All-Star Game with a 3-2 win over the American League on Tuesday night.
The NL won for the first time since an 8-0 victory in 2012 in Kansas City thanks to Diaz, a catcher who became the first Rockies player to win the All-Star MVP award.
Diaz, who was non-tendered by the Pirates at the end of 2019, drove a 2-2 pitch from Baltimore’s hard-throwing closer deep to left to put the NL in front. Diaz was the lone representative for Colorado in his first All-Star Game appearance.
He has nine homers this season, but hadn’t hit a long ball since June 23 against the Los Angeles Angels.
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“This means a lot to me, to my family,” he said. “Being in the ASG for me is amazing.”
For most of the night, the All-Star Game was a pitchers’ duel highlighted by a couple big hits and some excellent defense.
It got nervous for the NL in the ninth. Wander Franco flied out to the warning track leading off against Philadelphia closer Craig Kimbrel, who issued two-out walks to Kyle Tucker and Seattle star Julio Rodriguez.
Kimbrel recovered to strike out Jose Ramirez to end it. Kimbrel also pitched in the previous NL win, recording two outs in 2012.
Yandy Diaz hit a solo homer in the second inning and Bo Bichette’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning gave the AL a 2-1 lead.
