(Seattle) Elias Diaz hit a two-run homer in the eighth and the National League won its first All-Star Game since 2012 on Tuesday, beating the American League 3-2.
The first receiver in Rockies history to be named an All-Star, Diaz hit the long ball against Felix Bautista of the Orioles.
Nick Castellanos of the Phillies was at first base on a walk.
At the end of the ninth, Canadian manager Rob Thomson turned to one of his Phillies protégés, Craig Kimbrel. The 35-year-old veteran needed 30 shots, but he got the job done and the National got to celebrate.
Kimbrel disposed of Wander Franco on a ball and Vladimir Guerrero on momentum, before a bit of suspense.
PHOTO: TED S. WARREN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyle Tucker and local favorite Julio Rodriguez walked, but Jose Ramirez was later struck out.
The American League had won the annual classic nine straight times. The American took a 1-0 lead on a home run from Yandy Diaz of the Rays in the second.
Two innings later, Luis Arraez of the Marlins tied the score with a single, pushing home JD Martinez of the Dodgers.
The American replied in the sixth, the result of three strikes to the opposite field. Salvador Perez of the Royals hit a single and Brent Rooker of the A’s a double, before a sacrifice fly by Bo Bichette of the Jays.
That was before Diaz’s four-goal hit, much to the National’s delight.
At each club, a runner was pinned attempting to steal second base.
Sean Murphy of the Braves retired Randy Arozarena of the Rays. Rangers’ Jonah Heim performed the same trick on Arraez.
Guerrero was 0 for 2. In addition to him and Bichette, Toronto was also represented by Jordan Romano, whose presence had to be cut short due to stiff backs.
PHOTO STEPHEN BRASHEAR, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Bo Bichette
The 30-year-old right-hander came on in the seventh, pulling Will Smith out on a fly ball.
Lourdes Gurriel followed up with a long slap into the left field bleachers. The umpires first awarded a home run before declaring a foul ball, after consulting the replay.
During the overhaul, Romano was replaced by Michael Lorenzen of the Detroit Tigers.
Romano made five shots. The Ontarian leads major league baseball with 26 saves tied with Camilo Doval of the San Francisco Giants and Alexis Diaz of the Cincinnati Reds.
Attendance was 47,159 at T-Mobile Park. The All-Star Game was presented in Seattle for the first time since 2001.
Hall of Famers Edgar Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr. delivered ceremonial throws to former Mariners teammates Dan Wilson and Jay Buhner.
The second part of the campaign will begin on Friday.
The Blue Jays will start it with a home stay against the Diamondbacks and Padres.