By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The American League rode a dominant pitching performance to a 4-0 victory over the National League in the 96th Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease set the tone by striking out the side in the first inning. He was followed by 10 relievers as the American League combined on a three-hit shutout, holding the National League without a runner advancing past first base.
Former Dodger and current New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger delivered a two-run single in the opening inning against Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez. Yankees teammate Ben Rice followed with an RBI single to give the American League an early cushion.
One of the night’s brightest performances came from Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski, who made his first All-Star Game appearance on his 26th birthday.
Wrobleski earned the All-Star selection after posting an 11-2 record with a 2.69 ERA during the first half of the season. Originally left off the National League roster, he received a late invitation after Cincinnati Reds rookie Chase Burns withdrew. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts personally called Wrobleski with the news.
“I was not happy that I wasn’t going to be a part of it,” Wrobleski told reporters. “And obviously, getting the news that I’m going to be able to go there and do it, it’s super exciting. Wide range of emotions.”
The young right-hander made the most of his opportunity. He struck out the side in a flawless seventh inning, needing just 12 pitches while finishing the frame by blowing a 97-mph fastball past Tampa Bay Rays slugger Yandy Díaz.
After allowing a solo home run to former Dodgers farm system teammate Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox in the eighth inning, Wrobleski quickly regrouped and recorded two more strikeouts. His five strikeouts were the most by a pitcher in an All-Star Game since Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez struck out five in 1999. The all-time All-Star Game record is six strikeouts.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman praised Wrobleski’s growth over the past year.
“Last year it was a little bit up and down,” Freeman said. “There was a point where he gave up seven or eight runs against the Nationals early on and got sent down. He really honed in on what he needed to do, came back, and did everything our front office and coaching staff asked him to do. Then in the World Series, what he did in those biggest moments was special.”
The National League managed only three hits — singles by Juan Soto in the fourth inning, Pete Crow-Armstrong in the eighth and Otto Lopez in the ninth. Vargas’ home run accounted for the game’s lone extra-base hit by the National League.
Pitchers combined for 27 strikeouts, with American League hurlers recording 15. The victory marked the American League’s 18th win in the last 23 All-Star Games and improved its overall series advantage to 49-45-2.