If you're just tuning into the Michael Pineda show, welcome! On Tuesday night in the 2011 MLB All-Star Game, Pineda had his "hello world" moment, introducing the rest of America to what we already know here in Seattle: He's good, he's a Rookie of the Year candidate and he's got the kind of stuff to make some of the best hitters in baseball look foolish. All he did was pitch a scoreless third inning, fanning two and inducing a pop-out from Troy Tulowitzki.
Brandon League also got his work in, pitching the bottom of the seventh and surrendering a run. To be fair, Matt Wieters was charged with a passed ball on a League pitch, allowing Hunter Pence to take second and third. Pablo Sandoval ripped a ground rule double, bringing in Pence. League sat down his final two batters and was done for the day having pitched his inning.
As for the game itself, it mattered again, and will until it doesn't anymore when the next collective bargaining agreement is enacted. The National League won, 5-1, thanks to a three-run Prince Fielder home run. Two home runs were hit, Heath Bell slid into the mound when entering the game from the bullpen and Brian Wilson's beard showed up. The All-Star Game was actually the All-Star and a bunch of replacements because the original guys didn't show up game, as well. But it mattered!
Tyler Clippard got the win after facing one batter and surrendering a hit, only to see Hunter Pence gun down Jose Bautista at the plate. Wins matter, you guys. Joel Hanrahan pitched the ninth for the NL, creating a save situation so Wilson could come in and do what he does. The Beard slammed the door, earning the save by pitching 2/3 of an inning and retiring both batters he faced.
More on the game can be found in our 2011 MLB All-Star Game StoryStream. For live-coverage, head over to Baseball Nation's All-Star Game stream. To relive Lookout Landing founder Jeff Sullivan's Home Run Derby live-blog, head over here. It's an absolute must-read.