Here’s how Royals contributed to American League’s 5-3 victory in MLB All-Star Game
Cole Ragans admitted to having a few butterflies when he took the mound for his first All-Star Game appearance in the sixth inning at Globe Life Field.
Then he looked around and immediately felt at ease.
Entering with Ragans for the first time in the game were catcher Salvador Perez and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
“One hundred percent it helped,” Ragans said. “Run on the field, I see Bob running behind me going to shortstop. I see Sal standing there waiting on me. It makes you feel comfortable.”
Ragans threw a scoreless sixth inning; teammate Seth Lugo followed him with a scoreless seventh, helping the American League preserve a 5-3 victory in the 94th All-Star Game.
They were two of the nine pitchers — each threw one inning — for manager Bruce Bochy’s team. There had been speculation that Lugo, who shares the American League lead with 11 victories, could start. But that didn’t matter.
“This is something I’ll never forget,” Lugo said.
Ragans and Lugo were credited with holds. The win went to Mason Miller, who pitched the fifth.
Witt made a couple nice plays, including helping turn a double play in the sixth and going into the hole to throw out Marcell Ozuna with two on and two out in the seventh.
The experience was especially meaningful to Witt, who grew up some 20 miles from the stadium and became a finalist in the Home Run Derby the previous day.
“This was special,” Witt said about his All-Star experience. “You want to be an All-Star every year for sure. Now it’s time to get back to the season.”
And a playoff chase for the Royals, who open a home stand on Friday against the Chicago White Sox. The Royals are 52-45, and are chasing their first postseason berth since winning the 2015 World Series.
“We’re looking to be the best team we can possibly be,” Witt said.
The four players marked the most for the Royals in an All-Star Game since 2016, and this game marked the first time the Royals had two starting pitchers in the same midsummer classic.
Ragans, Lugo and Witt were making their All-Star debuts. This was Perez’s ninth All-Star Game, the second most in Royals history.
The American League broke a 3-3 tie in the fifth inning when Jarren Duran belted a two-run homer. He was named the game’s MVP. Shohei Ohtani had the big hit for the NL, blasting a three-run homer in the third.
The AL has won 17 of the last 21 All-Star Games.
This story was originally published July 16, 2024 at 9:58 PM.