The balls weren’t juiced. American League beats National League in 10 innings, 2-1

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

The Reds players, you dummy.

Zack Cozart made his first ever All Star Game in this one, getting the start after sneaking by Corey Seager during the fan vote.

In the game, he spoke with Alex Rodriguez out on the field, and joked that he was afraid A-Rod was coming out to suit up and take his spot. Then, he led off the bottom of the 3rd with a single off Dellin Betances. That hit broke an 0-25 streak for the Reds in All Star Games. He grounded out for a 1-2 night.

But who cares? Zack Cozart is an All Star.

Later in the game, we saw Reds Lord and savior Joey Votto. Joey was playing in his fifth All Star Game, but his first since 2013.

It was muuuch later, as Votto was the last position player available used by NL Manager Joe Maddon. He ran the count up to 3-1, but couldn’t do anything with it. He struck out. That meant he tied the record for ASG ABs without a hit, but he got another chance in the bottom of the 10th against probably the best reliever in baseball, Andrew Miller.

He walked, because of course he did.

But who cares? Joey Votto is an All Star.

Honorable mention to you, me, Cincinnati, and the general experience as a Reds fan. Come on back with us when the second half ramps back up, won’t you?

Oh, and MVP Robinson Cano, I guess.

Key Plays

• The pitching. It was good.
• In the top of the 5th, the American League got on the board. Jonathan Schoop shooped at grounder past Nolan Arenado at third for a double before Miguel Sano blooped a single between a rushing Zimmerman and Harper in right field. AL up, 1-0.
• Yadier Molina hit a home run in the bottom of the sixth. Meh. Tied, 1-1.
• There was some more good pitching. Those pitchers, man.
• Dunkirk is a movie that is apparently premiering sometime soon and directed by Christopher Nolan. It’s about war, as far as I can tell. There was a bunch of commercials about it, though, in between all the good pitching.
• EXTRAS, because of pitching.
• With Wade Davis pitching in the top of the 10th, Robinson Cano smacked a dinger with no outs. It ain’t 2016 anymore, Cubs. AL leads, 2-1.
• Joey Votto walked against Andrew Miller and could’ve been the tying run in extra innings, but Cody Bellinger couldn’t solve the Andrew Miller puzzle. AL wins, 2-1.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• They had a pretty cool presentation at the start of this one, where several of the Latin American Hall of Famers threw out the first pitch. It was pretty neat! It also got me looking at past players from Puerto Rico, and boy, Carlos Delgado got screwed when it comes to HOF voting.
• In the top of the 6th when Nelson Cruz came up to hit for the first time for the AL, he brought his phone with. Why? Because he wanted to get a picture with home plate umpire Joe West. If I heard right from the stadium mics, Cruz said he wanted to get a picture with “the two oldest guys in the game.” It was actually pretty endearing for both guys.
• Except Yadier Molina was the one they asked to take the picture. Who knew toilets could take pictures (or hit home runs, I guess)? He’s now the oldest catcher to dinger in the ASG. Barf.

• The Reds will welcome the Nationals into town to open up the second “half” of baseball on Friday. Tim Adleman has already gotten the nod from Bryan Price, but the ever formidable TBD is listed for Washington. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM EDT on Friday. Which means you have two full days without baseball. Do something productive with yourself, won’t you?
• Tunes.