American League Shuts Out National League 4-0 in MLB All-Star Game
Dylan Cease and 10 relievers combine on 15-strikeout shutout as Rays' Caminero exits after being hit by pitch
The American League shut out the National League 4-0 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, with starting pitcher Dylan Cease and 10 relievers combining to hold the NL to three hits and strike out 15 batters in the 96th MLB All-Star Game.
The dominant pitching performance overshadowed a scary moment in the third inning, when Cardinals reliever Riley O'Brien hit Rays third baseman Junior Caminero on the left hand with a 97.6 mph sinker. Caminero, 23, went directly to the AL clubhouse, but X-rays came back negative. The hit-by-pitch came just hours after Caminero had advanced through the semifinal round of the Home Run Derby against Jordan Walker.
The game featured a pregame tribute marking both baseball history and the 250th anniversary of American independence. Actor J.K. Simmons narrated a five-minute segment set to Ray Charles' "America the Beautiful" that paused the proceedings at Citizens Bank Park. Jennifer Hudson performed "God Bless America" before the game, with Patti LaBelle also taking part in the pregame ceremonies; Hudson is scheduled to perform at the FIFA World Cup final as well.
All-Star Week also brought a farewell of sorts, as former pitcher Justin Verlander and Kate Upton made what may be their final joint appearance on the All-Star Game red carpet, with Verlander downplaying any chance of a pitching comeback.
— Compiled from reporting by ESPN and Fox News.