PHILADELPHIA — Three Tampa Bay Rays pitchers delivered scoreless innings as the American League blanked the National League 4-0 at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night, the Midsummer Classic’s first shutout in 13 years.
Nick Martinez, making his first All-Star appearance about three weeks shy of his 36th birthday, retired all three batters he faced — getting Ozzie Albies out on three pitches, striking out Brandon Marsh with a high fastball and inducing a groundout from Andy Pages with a defensive assist from Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement. Drew Rasmussen, in his second straight All-Star selection, retired Matt Olson and struck out Otto Lopez on a sweeper in the seventh before issuing a walk to Sal Stewart. Bryan Baker, whom the source material called the Rays’ “latest pitching success story,” recorded the game’s final out, fielding a soft comebacker from Stewart and firing to first baseman Munetaka Murakami to seal the shutout.
The AL scored early, plating three runs against Philadelphia Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez in the first inning. Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger ripped a 101.1 mph two-run single to center field with the bases loaded, and teammate Ben Rice followed with a 106.8 mph RBI single. Bellinger earned MVP honors. The White Sox’s Miguel Vargas added a solo home run in the eighth.
Rays third baseman Junior Caminero exited the game after being hit in the left hand by a 97.6 mph sinker from Riley O’Brien during his second plate appearance in the third inning. X-rays came back negative, and Caminero is day to day, according to the Rays. Designated hitter Yandy Díaz, appearing in his second All-Star Game, struck out in both of his at-bats — an unusual showing for the AL’s leader in batting average, who has had only 10 multi-strikeout games for the Rays this season.
AL manager John Schneider revealed during an in-game interview on FOX that Rays manager Kevin Cash asked him to pair Rasmussen with Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, Rasmussen’s former teammate at Oregon State. Rasmussen appeared to thank Schneider on his way off the mound after the seventh. Baker also reunited with Rutschman, his former Orioles teammate, to close out the game.
Eleven AL pitchers combined to allow just three hits and no extra-base hits while striking out 15 NL batters. Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease started the game and struck out Kyle Schwarber, Juan Soto and CJ Abrams in a 25-pitch first inning. Red Sox left-hander Aroldis Chapman threw only six pitches to record two outs in the ninth, striking out Home Run Derby champion Jordan Walker on a 97.6 mph sinker before handing the ball to Baker.
The Rays return to regular-season play at Tropicana Field following the All-Star break, with Caminero’s status to be updated before the club’s next game.