The All-Star Game set a record for home runs, and the American League won its 6th straight

The 2018 MLB All-Star Game saw a record 10 home runs hit (the previous record was six!), and the American League prevailed 9-8 in 10 innings for its sixth consecutive All-Star Game win.Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, who hit the go-ahead home run int he 10th inning, was named the All-Star MVP.

This seems familiar

Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch saw two of his own players — Alex Bregman and George Springer — hit solo home runs in the 10th inning against Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling, whose manager Dave Roberts is captaining the National League squad. The AL now has a 8-5 lead in the 10th, in an inning that looked an awful lot like last year’s World Series, which set a Fall Classic record for home runs.

That’s nine home runs in the game, extending the All-Star Game record.

A new record

Just when it looked like the American League might win their sixth straight All-Star Game, Redssecond baseman Scooter Gennett hit a game-tying home run against Mariners closer Edwin Diaz, locking things up at 5-5 in the ninth inning.

That gives us seven home runs in this All-Star Game, setting a record for the midsummer classic.

More dingers!

Christian Yelich picked up a run for the NL in the eighth inning, pulling the NL to within 5-3 with yet another home run, this one a solo shot. It tied the All-Star Game record with six total home runs, last done in 1971.

All six of those home runs in 1971 were hit by Hall of Famers: Johnny Bench, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Frank Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, and the one I will always remember, Reggie Jackson off the roof!

Final vote, final word?

Mariners shortstop Jean Segura won the American League Final Vote, earning the last roster spot on the AL roster. That decision paid off handsomely in the eighth inning, when Segura slammed a three-run home run to open up the game.

Cool Story, bro

We now have a tie game through seven innings, thanks to Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, who took Charlie Morton deep. Four runs so far in this game, with two home runs for each team.

Social media day

With phones allowed in the dugout and on the field, this All-Star Game is the most media-friendly  ever. J.D. Martinez even got into the action, asking Manny Machado where he might end up.

Forecast, presented by Statcast?

Mike Trout is the best player in baseball, but his true passion is [checks notes] weather. Fox had some fun with this during the broadcast, and Trout was a willing participant, having some fun with it.

“Back to you guys in your air conditioned booth.”

Willlllllllllson

In the most screen time for a Willson since Cast Away, Cubs catcher Willson Contreras homered to open the bottom of the third inning, cutting the AL lead to 2-1. Contreras to popular belief, the National League will not be shut out this evening.

Gunning for another MVP?

Mike Trout homered off Jacob deGrom in the third inning to widen the American League’s lead to 2-0. Trout has at least one hit in all six of the All-Star Games he has played in (he was hurt in 2017). He’s 7-for-14 with two homers, two doubles, a triple and three walks in All-Star play.

Trout won the All-Star MVP Award in both 2014 and 2015. With a home run and a walk so far tonight, he could win another.

Future teammates, part deux

Matt Kemp doubled in the second inning, and when he reached second base he was greeted by current Oriole and rumored-to-be future Dodger teammate Manny Machado. Is it legal to consummate a baseball trade by a selfie?

Preview

While we wait on the eventual destination for Manny Machado to be resolved, there is an MLB All-Star Game to be played. Tuesday night is the 89th edition of the midsummer classic, with the National League and American League all knotted up at 43-43-2. A.J. Hinch of the Houston Astros won the World Series last year, and now gets to manage a loaded American League lineup, one that includes an historically great outfield of Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Aaron Judge.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is at the helm for the National League, and got to write one of his own players in the lineup, with Matt Kemp starting in left field thanks to a resurgent season in Los Angeles