NL East 2009 All-Star Game Recap: How NL East faired

Last night, the National League lost its 7th straight All-Star game and 12th of the last 13, including one tie in St. Louis.  While they did lose, the NL East did have a total of 10 players make appearances in the game.

For the Phillies, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino started the game.  Utley went 0-2 but did make a nice play in the field early in the game to help the NL not get into a troublesome inning.  Raul Ibanez in his first All-Star appearance went 0-2.  Victorino was 1-2 and scored the tying run early in the game in the second inning as the NL rallied for an early lead.  Ryan Howard pinch hit in the eighth inning with runners on second and third and the NL down a run, with a chance to have them take the lead, but struck out against Joe Nathan to end the inning.  Finally, Jayson Werth came on to replace Victorino in centerfield and went 0-1 at the plate but made a nice running catch in the top of the ninth.

The Marlins had two players who got invited to the game, Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson.  Hanley Ramirez started the game and went 0-3 in his three at bats.  Josh Johnson having just pitched on Sunday, was only to be available in an emergency basis, and thus did not play in the game.

The Braves only sent one player to this year’s game, Catcher Brian McCann.  McCann pinch hit in the eighth inning and could only foul out for an out before the National League tried to mount a two-out rally.

The New York Mets had four players named to the All-Star squad, but Carlos Beltran was injured and was replaced late last week on the roster.  David Wright started the game at third base and played four innings in the field, but went 1-2 at the plate with a single and the NL’s first run scored and also a strike out.  Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth for the NL and got out of it with a strikeout and nothing else with only six pitches.  Johan Santana was spared from action by Charlie Manuel as Johan had recently pitched and the Mets requested he not pitch if not necessary.

Finally, the Washington Nationals lone player, Ryan Zimmerman came on to relieve David Wright in the fifth inning at third base.  He then went 0-2 at the plate for the game.

It was a good game, too bad the NL keeps losign these, but at least this year we didn’t have to wait until early morning for a result.  Check out all the NLEC affiliates for more information on your team.