The American League's nine-game winning streak in the MLB All-Star Game evaporated last year when the National League finally beat them.
But perhaps a new winning streak began Tuesday night at Globe Life Field, when the American League defeated the National League, 5-3, thanks to a two-run homer off the bat of Jarren Duran, who was selected for the first time to the All-Star Game for the Boston Red Sox.
Facing Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene, Duran connected with a 95 mph fastball right off the heart of the plate 413 feet over the right-center field wall to break a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the fifth inning.
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Juan Soto, #22 of the New York Yankees, reacts after hitting a double in the third inning against the National League during the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
It may have been Duran's only hit in his two at-bats on the night, but it was the decisive hit that gave the American League the win, leading to the young outfielder receiving the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award.
Duran has been quite the story coming out of Boston this year, as he leads the league in doubles (27) and triples (10) while also hitting 10 homers with 41 RBIs in 95 games. He has been very open about his struggles with mental health in the past when his time in the majors didn't provide adequate production, but he's clearly making the most of his situation now.
He's not the only rookie All-Star who shined in Texas on Tuesday night, as Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes took the ball in the first inning as the National League starter and put his dirty arsenal on display for all to see.
ROOKIE PHENOMENON PAUL SKENES SHINES IN A MILESTONE-LESS ALL-STAR GAME
Skenes, who has a 1.90 ERA at the All-Star break after 11 starts since being called up in May, struck down his first two batters before walking New York Yankees star Juan Soto, setting up a showdown everyone was expecting.
Aaron Judge came to the plate to face Skenes, but swung at the first pitch, a 100 mph fastball, and rolled it toward third baseman Alec Bohm, who threw to second to end the inning.
Skenes may have pitched one inning, but going hitless and with no games on the board was all he could ask for in this surreal start to his career.
Shohei Ohtani, #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, reacts after hitting a three-run home run in the top of the third inning during the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
While the rookies were enjoying the moment, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani was showing everyone why he's an All-Star and perennial MVP after breaking a scoreless tie in the third inning with a towering 400-foot home run off Red Sox starter Tanner Houck to right field.
The Japanese superstar was all smiles at third base as he put his National League colleagues in prime position to defend their title.
However, San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb surrendered the lead in the next inning. After Marcus Semien singled and Steven Kwan walked, Soto doubled to center field to make it 3-2.
Then David Fry, the Cleveland Guardians' surprise All-Star who is off to a hot start in his 2024 campaign, singled to left field to score Soto and tie the game.
The pitching was solid until Duran's homer off Greene, and the American League never let up. Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase finally came in to save the win in the top of the ninth inning, and although he allowed one hit, he struck out two of the batters he faced to close out the game in Arlington.
Jarren Duran, #16 of the Boston Red Sox, rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning against the National League during the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
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With this MLB All-Star weekend concluded, players will return to their respective cities and prepare for the second half of the regular season, which begins again on Friday.
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