At Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia the American League blanked the National League 4-0 in the 96th MLB All-Star Game. American League pitchers dominated, combining for 27 strikeouts and holding the National League to three hits and one extra-base hit. Cody Bellinger, playing his first All-Star Game since 2019, delivered a two-run single and was named the game’s MVP. Miguel Vargas hit a solo home run in the eighth inning for the only extra-base blow of the night. Bryce Harper was activated by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in the sixth, acknowledged the crowd, then struck out swinging five pitches later. Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero left after being hit by a pitch in the third inning but an X-ray on his hand was negative. The festivities included a tense labor backdrop: commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA interim director Bruce Meyer voiced opposing stances on a proposed owners’ salary cap as the collective bargaining agreement expires in December, leaving open the possibility of a 2027 lockout.
