American League Wins All-Star Game 4-3; Hometown Hero Shane Bieber Rocks Cleveland’s Progressive Field

(Photo Credit: Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)

The Cleveland Indians took over baseball’s 90th All-Star Game on Tuesday night.

As well they should, with the game in their ballpark, Progressive Field, and their players (past and present) playing a key role in the American League’s 4-3 victory – it’s seventh straight – over the National League.

Let’s start with pitcher Shane Bieber (a Bieber you can actually like). Bieber was a late addition to the AL team. He entered the game in the fifth inning and he struck out the side on 19 pitches, preserving the AL’s 1-0 lead. He earned MVP honors for that effort, the first player since 1999 to do so in his home park. He was also the first Indians player named MVP since catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. in 1997 – in the same stadium.

The crowd gave much love to another Indians pitcher, Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco, and he hasn’t been in a game since May 30. He’s battling leukemia and took part in a Stand Up To Cancer presentation.

Former Indian Michael Brantley, now with the Houston Astros, drove in Astros teammate Alex Bregman with the game’s first run.
As the ninth inning wound down with New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman struck out the first two hitters he faced, Yankees teammate CC Sabathia (there in an honorary capacity with his retirement looming) went out to the mound to give Chapman a pep talk. Sabathia spent the first seven years of his career with the Indians.

The Indians have been a playoff team the last three years, including a loss in the 2016 World Series. They’re generating excitement and their fans made All-Star Weekend special.

In the words of comic Drew Carey – Cleveland Rocks!

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman