Why Can't the NL Win this Thing?
Giants' Lincecum pitches two innings in NL loss
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National League All-Star Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the 2009 MLB All-Star Game at Busch Stadium on July 14, 2009 in St Louis.
With the American League prevailing 4-3 in the fastest All-Star Game since 1988 (2 hours and 31 minutes), the National League now has not won an All-Star game in 13 straight contests.
Remember, there was that Commissioner called 7-7 tie at the Milwaukee-hosted game in 2002.
The 80th All-Star game Tuesday night at Busch Stadium started with the Giants' Tim Lincecum on the mound. He pitched two innings giving up two runs, one of which was earned. Lincecum threw one strikeout and gave up two hits.
Minnesota's Joe Mauer doubled home New York's Derek Jeter with two outs in the fifth, pulling the AL into a 3-all tie with the NL.
In the eighth, Detroit's Curtis Granderson tripled and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly, putting the American League in front for good.
For some historical perspective, one league's dominance is not uncommon. From 1963 to 1982, the National League won each All-Star game except for one, in 1971.
Why do you think the American League has been so commanding from 1997 until now?
Posted Saturday, Jul 18, 2009 - 12:03 PM PST
