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Jarren Duran wins MVP as AL All-Stars storm back in All-Star Game thriller

After dropping last year’s game in Seattle, the American League All-Star team got back to its winning ways with a thrilling 5-3 victory over the National League All-Star team at Globe Life Field Tuesday night.

The 94th Midsummer Classic delivered across the board with plenty of home runs, acrobatic defensive plays and a strong outing from Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes.

The two All-Star squads were tied at 3 entering the bottom of the fifth when the AL took control of the game. Cincinnati pitcher Hunter Greene started the inning strong, retiring the first two batters before giving up a single to Baltimore right fielder Anthony Santander.

That’s when Boston center fielder Jarren Duran blasted a 413-foot home run to right center field to put the AL ahead for good. It was the 10th defeat in the last 11 All-Star Games for the National League, which blew a 3-0 lead.

Durran was voted MVP of the 94th mid-summer classic.

How the AL responded

Despite falling behind 3-0 in the top of the third inning, the AL didn’t need much time to show why they’ve dominated the All-Star this century with a quick comeback in the bottom of the third against San Francisco pitcher Logan Webb. Webb’s first few pitches couldn’t have gone worse as Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien singled to get on base and then Webb walked another Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan.

The two would eventually advance to third and second before New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto doubled up the center to drive both home to make it 3-2. Cleveland designated hitter David Fry would then drive Soto home with a single to left field as the AL quickly seized any momentum the NL had established.

Webb gave up three hits and three runs in the inning and was replaced by Chicago left handler Shota Imanaga in the bottom of the fourth.

Ohtani dazzles

After not competing in the Home Run Derby on Monday, Shohei Ohtani reminded the fans of Globe Life Field what they were missing with a powerful home run in the third inning to get the scoring started. After two solid innings by Corbin Burnes and Tarik Skubal, Boston pitcher Tanner Houck started the third inning.

The NL quickly took advantage as San Diego first man Jurickson Profar got on base with a leadoff single. Another single by Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte reaching first while Profar advanced to second. With the stage set with no outs, Ohtani came through and delivered a powerful swing that sent the ball 400 feet for his first All-Star Game home run.

“I tried to enjoy the three hours or so I had to be on the same team as him,” Skenes said. “That’s probably only going to happen once a year, but it was very cool to watch him go about his business. I don’t know if there’s a hitter I faced better than him.”

Generating runs has historically been a struggle for the NL, which is just 1-9 in the last 10 All-Star games, but Ohtani’s early heroics gave the NL much needed cushion. Unfortunately it wouldn’t last long as Ohtani watched the lead wilt away in the bottom of the inning. Despite the defeat Ohtani finished the night with three RBis and a walk.

Smooth sailing for Skenes

Arguably the biggest storyline of All-Star weekend was Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. The former LSU standout became just the fifth rookie to ever get the start on the mound for an All-Star game. Despite facing the top of the AL lineup, Skenes more than held his own in two innings of work and was especially effective with his off speed pitches.

“Frankly I wish I had a few more pitches to show that,” Skenes said. “It’s the All-Star Game, it’s on national TV, it’s always cool to bring eyes to the game.”

While Skenes wasn’t able to get a strikeout matched up against the likes of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, Skenes avoided giving up a hit despite walking two batters. Skenes said that moment along with all the festivities around Arlington would stick with him for some time.

“The first pitch, I don’t think I blacked out when I was out there, but I was pretty close,” Skenes said. “It was cool to be on that mound and just being able to share this with my family and having them all here it was cool to have them experience it. It was two days packed with (great) moments.”

Skenes said the memory of facing Judge and Soto back-to-back was one of the early highlights of his career.

“It was cool to face off against them,” Skenes said. “They were tough, Soto was a tough at bat. And Judge, I kind of went after him and got him to roll over (the pitch). It was cool to be able to face them in the All-Star Game.”

Based on how Skenes looked at Globe Life Field and how he’s performed all season, Tuesday night could be the first of many appearances at the Midsummer Classic.