Carlos Beltran, Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller make appearances in 2016 All-Star game in 4-2 AL win

Photo via @AllStarGame on Twitter

The 2016 All-Star game in sunny San Diego featured 68 of the league's brightest stars, including three Yankees - Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Carlos Beltran. Though it is a common courtesy to play as many players as possible in the Midsummer Classic, that often time is not the case. However, all three Yankees made appearances tonight in the American League’s 4-2 win over the National League to win home field advantage in the World Series.

Carlos Beltran: 0-1, fly out to CF

Carlos Beltran came on as a defensive substitution in the top of the sixth inning for Mookie Betts (insert your own punch line here). Beltran would then hit in the bottom of the sixth against Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals with a lazy fly out to Odubel Herrera of the Phillies in center field. Other than that, Beltran had an uneventful night in his ninth career All-Star appearance.

Dellin Betances: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Dellin Betances clearly had the best night of any Yankee in the All-Star game. Betances pitched the seventh inning for the American League squad and dominated opposing hitters (except Nats second baseman Daniel Murphy who singled to right field off him). Betances struck out shortstop Corey Seager of ten Dodgers on a 100 MPH fastball to begin the inning before allowing a single to Murphy. He then got Diamondbacks superstar Paul Goldschmidt to fly out to center fielder of the Rangers Ian Desmond. Betances reared back to strike out Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado on a 101 MPH fastball to end the inning. He was amped up and blowing hitters away in an impressive outing in his third straight All-Star selection.

Andrew Miller: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 K, 1 BB

American League manager Ned Yost turned to the big-lefty Andrew Miller for the eighth inning with a 4-2 lead. Miller, making his first All-Star appearance, was welcomed by Giants first baseman Brandon Belt -  the National League's final vote winner. Belt flied out on a weak pop out to left field. Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy then laced a single to left field. Miller got the ensuing hitter, Jay Bruce of the Reds to strike out swinging before allowing another single to Starling Marte of the Pirates. Miller then walked Adam Duvall of the Reds to load the bases before being hooked for Astros reliever Will Harris. Harris bailed Miller out of the bases loaded jam getting Aledmys Diaz to strike out looking on a close 3-2 pitch.

This was the second year in a row the Yankees had three players in the All-Star game. At last year's game in Cincinnati, Brett Gardner, Mark Teixeira and Dellin Betances all made appearances in the game, although Gardner and Teixeira were overmatched in each and every one of their at-bats. Tonight, Betances was one of the most electric players in the game, while Miller struggled, and Beltran was nearly invisible. Still, it was nice seeing the Yankee pinstripes all over the field in San Diego and these All-Stars will play pivotal roles in the second half, unless, of course, some of them wind up being traded. More importantly, the American League representative in the World Series will have home field advantage once again with yet another All-Star game win. Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer was named the MVP going 2-3 with a solo homer in the second inning off Johnny Cueto of the Giants and an RBI single in the third inning.

Article by: Chad Raines

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