All-Star Game Score Decided by Fielder Homer, Dominant NL Pitching

The 2011 All-Star Game score reads like the most lopsided in years. Since the last several matches between conferences were decided by one or two runs, a final score of 5-1 looks a lot easier. But in truth, the game would have been even if not for one swing of the bat from Prince Fielder in the fourth inning. His three-run blast gave the National League all the offense it needed, especially with its pitching staff.

Since this is the year of the pitcher in baseball, the All-Star Game easily reflected that. Other than in the fourth inning, there was virtually no scoring, save for one NL run in the fifth and seventh inning. But the game was decided in the fourth, starting with an Adrian Gonzalez home run after Phillies aces Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee retired the first 11 batters.

After the AL threatened to score more, the Astros' Hunter Pence stopped the surge by throwing out Jose Bautista at home. The NL then rode that momentum with Fielder's three-run homer, controlling the night from there.

Although the American League got four hits in the fourth inning, it only had two hits in the other eight. Halladay, Lee, and the other NL aces and relievers shut virtually everyone down, complete with Brian Wilson's two-out save in the ninth. But with an NL staff that includes Halladay, Lee, Wilson, Clayton Kershaw, Jair Jurrjens and Heath Bell, the AL couldn't have expected that much offense.

A common complaint was that the American League was missing a lot of its aces, like C.C. Sabathia, Justin Verlander and Felix Hernandez. If they were able to pitch, then perhaps things would have been different, and C.J. Wilson wouldn't have been in position to give up his homer to Fielder. However, the American staff really only made that one mistake, although it was a fairly big one.

If not for that one home run, the final score might have been 2-1 or 3-2, or might have at least been in doubt by the ninth inning. Instead, the National League could breathe easy for the first time in about 15 years. After finally pulling out its first All-Star game win since the mid '90s last year, the NL wrapped up a second straight victory with more ease.

The blast capped a big week for Fielder, as he was the offensive star after making it to the Home Run Derby semifinals. Although he was overshadowed by Adrian Gonzalez and Robinson Cano Monday, Fielder easily upstaged Gonzalez at the best time Tuesday.

As such, Fielder's Brewers stand to benefit, as they hope to make the World Series and take advantage of the home field the National League won. But the Phillies, Braves, Cardinals, Giants and others hope to be in that position too, and will resume their quest this weekend with the rest of the NL.

Sources

Associated Press (via Yahoo! Sports)- "Prince makes NL king: HR earns 2nd straight win"