Jarren Duran Homers His Way To MVP As American League Wins MLB All Star Game

Another MLB All-Star game is in the books as the American League came out on top, 5-3 over the National League. Tuesday night’s victory was the AL’s 48th overall win and the NL’s 44th loss. Of course, people focus on the known names when watching – Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto were some key names that participated.

Rookie phenom Paul Skenes pitched a scoreless first inning, only surrendering a seven-pitch walk to Soto – the walk sent Judge to the plate where Skenes forced the Yankees outfielder to hit a first-pitch groundout to third. Ohtani opened up the scoring through a no-doubt three-run home run that gave the NL a 3-0 lead in the third inning.

The NL’s advantage was shortly lived as Soto hit a double to cut the lead to 3-2. Then, Cleveland’s David Fry tied the score by hitting a two-out single that brought Soto home from second. Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran broke the stalemate with a two-run blast off of Reds reliever Hunter Greene, putting the AL ahead, 5-3. Duran won the All-Star game’s MVP as a result of his home run.

2024 marked Duran’s first career All-Star game as he earned the nod through a solid campaign. The outfielder has a .284 batting average with ten home runs, 41 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. Duran also leads the AL in doubles, with 27, while his ten triples lead the majors. Fry also made the all-star game for the first time after spending five years in the minor leagues. The 28-year-old currently hits .317, in addition to hitting eight long balls and batting in 30 runs.

Athletics closer Mason Miller made history with a 103.6 mph pitch, the fastest pitch ever thrown in the All-Star game. Emmanuel Clase was credited with the save as he preserved the 5-3 lead – the Guardians’ hurler finished the ninth striking out Pete Alonso and Bryan Reynolds, forcing Elly De La Cruz to groundout and giving up a single to Jackson Merrill.