1. Reds hitless again
Cincinnati outfielders Jay Bruce and Adam Duvall combined to go 0-for-3, extending the club’s hitless streak in the Midsummer Classic to six games. As noted by Cincinnati.com, the last hit by a Red in an All-Star Game came off the bat of Scott Rolen in 2010. Since then, Cincinnati batters are 0-for-25. Bruce struck out in both of his at-bats while Duvall went 0-for-1 with a walk.
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2. Cueto rocked
Former Reds ace Johnny Cueto (now a member of the San Francisco Giants) started the game and took the loss. He was touched for three runs (all earned) in 1 2/3 innings. He struck out one, walked none and allowed five hits.
3. Royals roll
Cueto finished last season with the Royals after a midseason trade from the Reds, and a pair of his former AL teammates did the most damage against him. Royals outfielder Eric Hosmer got the AL on the board with a solo home run then Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez yanked a 2-run homer to left field to put the AL on top for good.
4. Cubs boom then bust
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant started the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the first, but things went downhill for him and his teammates after that. After Perez put the AL on top 3-1, Bryant struck out with the runners on second and third, ending the top of the third for the NL. Cubs shortstop Addison Russell grounded out with two on to end the fourth. Bryant, Russell, second baseman Ben Zobrist and first baseman Anthony Rizzo combined to go 2-for-8 with a home run, one strikeout and six men left on base.
5. Cardinal caught looking
Another member of a Reds rival also had a chance to strike a big blow for the National League but came up short. After Duvall walked to load the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth, St. Louis rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz took a called third strike from Houston’s Will Harris to end the NL’s last best chance to tie the game or take the lead.
6. Trout continues hot start
Contrasting the Reds' recent struggles at the plate in the All-Star Game is Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, who singled off Cueto in the first inning to run his ASG hit streak to five games. Per MLB.com, he is 6 for 13 in the Midsummer Classic.
7. Big Papi takes a bow
The game paused briefly in the bottom of the third inning afanss recognized the career of Red Sox DH David Ortiz. Playing in his final All-Star Game, he was lifted for a pinch runner after drawing a walk.
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