2014 MLB All Star Game: Twins Get Home Field Advantage
The 2014 Major League Baseball All Star Game is in the books, and Target Field played host wonderfully to the 85th annual event. While the storylines ran rampant prior to gametime, the fact remain that the All Star Game still counts. Thanks to the result, Minnesota Twins would have home field advantage in the World Series.
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In all seriousness, the game got started with a much deserved celebration for Derek Jeter, two ovations, and multiple nice moments. Jeter doubled and later came around to score in the bottom of the first for the American League. Putting them up further early, Miguel Cabrera took Adam Wainwright deep to left field for a 3-0 American League lead.
The lead didn’t last long however. In the top of the second inning a Chas Utley double scoring Aramis Ramirez, was followed up by a Jonathan Lucroy double scoring Utley. The National League had cut the AL lead to one getting to Jon Lester in his one inning of work.
In the top of the fourth, it was once again Lucroy driving in a run, as another double scored Dee Gordon from first. Chris Sale was able to work around Lucroy on second and escape the inning with the game knotted at 3.
Mike Trout, fully decked out in his trout inspired cleats, doubled to left in the bottom of the fifth, plating Derek Norris for the AL. A Jose Altuve sacrifice fly then scored Alexi Ramirez from third giving the AL a 5-3 lead. With the two run advantage, the American league would never look back.
Coming on to close things out in the ninth was the hometown Minnesota Twins tandem of Glen Perkins and Kurt Suzuki. After getting Miguel Montero to fly out, Perkins then struck out Josh Harrison, and got Charlie Blackmon to ground out to end the game.
Max Scherzer picked up the win for the American League, not surprising considering his win total in his AL CY Young winning year last year. Perkins got the save while hometown guy, Pat Neshek was hit with the loss.
Mike Trout was named the 2014 Major League Baseball All Star Game MVP in large part to his big double that drove in the go ahead run. A gorgeous crystal bat trophy and a brand new Chevrolet Corvette, Trout continues to rack up style points and awards left and right early in his career.
Wednesday is an off day before the Minnesota Twins and the rest of the Major Leagues get back to work and race towards the post season.
The Twins start out with a very winnable series hosting the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field. With a manageable schedule in the coming weeks, it is the next few series that will determine the Twins plans for the rest of the way.