Diaz’s big blast in 8th helps NL halt ASG drought
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Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff Writer
SEATTLE — A stolen base overturned, a home run called foul upon review, a plea by fans for Shohei Ohtani to play in Seattle, a tension-filled finish and two leaping catches at the wall in the first inning were just a few of the highlights during the 2023 All-Star Game, won by the National League 3-2.
The tying and winning runs were scored on an Elias Diaz home run in the top of the eighth inning, erasing a 2-1 NL deficit after the American League took the lead in the sixth on a Bo Bichette sacrifice fly. Craig Kimbrel struck out Jose Ramirez with two on in the ninth to earn the save as the NL ended a nine-game All-Star Game drought.
Diaz made Colorado Rockies history by becoming the franchise’s first player to win the All-Star MVP award.
“It feels incredible,” Diaz said. “When we all got here, we all talked about how we were going to bring home the win. I just didn’t realize it was going to be me to bring home the win.”
Diaz is the 24th player to homer in his first career All-Star Game at-bat and the second to do so in the game after Yandy Diaz went deep in the second inning, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Diaz’s blast gave the AL a 1-0 lead. A couple innings later, the NL tied the score on a Luis Arraez RBI single.
But the early energy in the stadium involved the T-Mobile Park crowd, with fans loudly chanting “Come to Seattle” each time Ohtani came to the plate, both in the first inning then again in the fourth. Ohtani will be a well sought-after free agent at the end of the season.
“Never experienced anything like that, but I definitely heard it,” Ohtani said afterward through his interpreter. “But I was trying to focus on my at-bat.”
Ohtani struck out and walked before coming out of the game in favor of Salvador Perez, who scored a run on the Bichette sacrifice fly. Ohtani was also asked if any teammates were attempting to recruit him.
“I would like to keep that a secret,” he said. “Even if someone said that, I don’t think I would be able to say it right here.”
Mariners star Julio Rodriguez was one of those players to engage with Ohtani, but he kept mum about what he specifically asked the Angels superstar.
“Secrets,” Rodriguez said. “Can’t know everything in life.”
The night got off to an electric start when Adolis Garcia and good friend Randy Arozarena both made leaping catches at the wall in the first inning playing behind starter Gerrit Cole. Garcia robbed Ronald Acuna Jr. in right field while Arozarena did the same to Freddie Freeman in left. Arozarena crossed his arms in his famous pose after making the catch.
“That was pretty cool,” Cole said. “I figure he deserved it. That was a sweet catch. They were both nice catches. The first one was really tough, in the sun.”
Other highlights included Arraez seeing two pitches total and hitting them both into the outfield grass for singles, something he has done 104 times this season, the most in MLB. Arraez is hitting .383, attempting to become the first player to hit .400 since Ted Williams in 1941.
“Everybody’s supporting me here,” Arraez said. “But I was surprised — especially Freddie, Mookie Betts, Acuna, the Latin players. They support me. They say, ‘Hey, go play hard and enjoy the game. You can hit .400.’ I say, ‘It’s hard. I’m a human. But I’ll try. Let’s see what happens when I finish my season.'”
Freeman expressed amazement at Arraez’s night.
“We just cheer him on,” Freeman said. “I think we’re all cheering him on. You [reporters] guys are. It’s incredible to watch. I mean just today in the game — an 0-0 splitter for a hit and a 98-mph fastball for a hit. With shadows. Nothing fazes him. So yeah, it’s incredible.”
After Arraez’s second hit, he attempted to steal second base and initially was called safe. But AL manager Dusty Baker challenged the call, and it was overturned. It was the second caught stealing of the night after Arozarena got nailed in the second inning, making it the first All-Star Game since 2008 where two runners were thrown out attempting to steal a base.
In the bottom of the sixth, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a long fly ball down the left field line off righty Jordan Romano that was initially called a home run, but again Baker challenged and it was overturned. During the delay, Romano left the game with lower back tightness.
In the ninth inning, there was some drama for the NL before Kimbrel closed out the game. Wander Franco flied out to the warning track leading off against Kimbrel, who issued two-out walks to Kyle Tucker and Rodríguez before striking out Ramírez to end it.
Kimbrel also pitched in the previous NL win, recording two outs in 2012.
“The ninth inning in the dugout was just a lot of fun to experience,” said San Diego‘s Josh Hader, who pitched the eighth for the NL.
The post-All-Star break portion of the schedule starts Friday with every team in the league scheduled to be in action.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Max Olson
FRISCO, Texas — A dynamic new quarterback, a new offensive system and two projected first-round picks up front have Utah coach Kyle Whittingham feeling enthusiastic about the Utes’ chances of bouncing back from a disastrous debut season in the Big 12.
Utah was voted No. 1 in the Big 12 preseason poll last year after joining from the Pac-12, but a brutal run of injuries and inconsistency resulted in a seven-game conference losing streak and a 5-7 finish — the program’s first losing season since 2013.
After weeks of contemplation about his future and what was best for the program, Whittingham, the third-longest-tenured head coach in FBS, decided in December to return for his 21st season with the Utes.
“The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note,” Whittingham told ESPN at Big 12 media days Wednesday. “It was too frustrating, too disappointing. As much as college football has changed with all the other factors that might pull you away, that was the overriding reason: That’s not us, that’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.”
“The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note. It was too frustrating, too disappointing. … That’s not us. That’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.”
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham on going 5-7 in 2024
Whittingham and Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley conducted a national search for a new offensive coordinator and quickly zeroed in on New Mexico‘s Jason Beck. Then they managed to land Devon Dampier, Beck’s first-team All-Mountain West quarterback, via the transfer portal.
After finishing 11th nationally in total offense with 3,934 yards and 31 total touchdowns and putting up the fourth-most rushing yards (1,166) among all FBS starters, Dampier followed his coach to Salt Lake City and immediately asserted himself as a difference-maker for a program that had to start four different QBs in 2024.
“He’s a terrific athlete,” Whittingham said. “He’s a guy that, if spring is any indication, he’s an exciting player, and we can’t wait to watch him this season. … He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He’s a leader. Needless to say, very excited to see what he does for us.”
They’ve surrounded Dampier with 21 more newcomers via the transfer portal and will protect him with two returning starters at tackle in Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, who are projected first-round NFL draft picks by ESPN’s Matt Miller.
“We feel they’re the best tandem in the country,” Whittingham said. “The offensive line in general, I feel, it’s the best since I’ve been there. And that’s quite a statement. We’ve had some really good offensive lines. We’ve got two first-rounders and three seniors inside that have played a lot of good football for us. That better be a strength of ours, and that’s what we’re counting on.”
Whittingham has previously said he did not want to coach past the age of 65. Now that he’s 65, he acknowledges that he might’ve arrived at a different decision about his future had the Utes ended up winning the Big 12 in 2024. He is reenergized about getting them back into contention, but he’s not ready to say whether this season might be his last.
“The best answer I can give you is, right now, I’m excited and passionate about going to work every single day,” Whittingham said. “As soon as that changes, I’ll know it’s time. I’m just counting on knowing when the time is right. I can’t tell you exactly what the circumstances will be other than losing the fire in the belly.”
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Jesse Rogers
The automated ball-strike system is coming to the All-Star Game next week in Atlanta.
MLB officials added the feature to the annual exhibition game knowing it could be a precursor to becoming a permanent part of the major leagues as soon as next year.
The same process used this past spring training will be used for the Midsummer Classic: Each team will be given two challenges with the ability to retain them if successful. Only a pitcher, catcher or hitter can ask for a challenge and it has to happen almost immediately after the pitch. The player will tap his hat or helmet indicating to the umpire he wants to challenge while any help from the dugout or other players on the field is not allowed.
MLB officials say 72% of fans who were polled during spring training said the impact of ABS on their experience at the game was a “positive” one. Sixty-nine percent said they’d like it part of the game moving forward. Just 10% expressed negativity toward it.
MLB’s competition committee will meet later this summer to determine if ABS will be instituted next season after the league tested the robotic system throughout the minor leagues and spring training in recent years. Like almost any rule change, there were mixed reviews from players about using ABS but nearly all parties agree on one point: They prefer a challenge system as opposed to the technology calling every pitch.
As was the case in spring training, once a review is initiated, an animated replay of the pitch will be shown on the scoreboard and the home plate umpire will either uphold the call or overturn it. ABS uses Hawk-Eye system technology which tracks the pitch trajectory and location in relation to the strike zone, providing an instant assessment which can be relayed to the home plate umpire.
The All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday.
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