Elias Diaz hit a two-run homer off Felix Bautista in the eighth inning and the National League snapped a nine-game losing streak in the All-Star Game with a 3-2 victory over the American League on Tuesday.
The National League won for the first time since a 2012 8-0 win at Kansas City thanks to Diaz, a catcher who became the first Rockies player to win the All-Star MVP award.
Diaz, who was not tendered by the Pirates at the end of 2019, drove a 2-2 pitch from the Baltimore closer to left to put the National League ahead. Diaz was Colorado’s only representative in his first All-Star appearance.
He has nine home runs this season, but hadn’t hit a long ball since June 23 against the Los Angeles Angels.
“This means a lot to me, to my family,” he said. “Being in the ASG for me is incredible.”
For most of the night, the All-Star Game was a pitching duel highlighted by a pair of big hits and excellent defense.
He got nervous for the National League in the ninth. Wander Franco flied out to the warning track leading off against Philadelphia closer Craig Kimbrel, who walked Kyle Tucker and Seattle star Julio Rodriguez with two outs.
Kimbrel rallied to strike out José Ramírez to finish it out. Kimbrel also pitched in the previous National League win, recording two putouts in 2012.
Yandy Diaz hit a solo home run in the second inning and Bo Bichette’s sacrifice fly in the sixth gave the American League a 2-1 lead.