Willson Contreras only got three innings and one at bat during Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game, but the Red Sox first baseman made the most of his playing time in the American League’s 4-0 win.
Contreras went 1 for 1 with a single in his lone at bat, getting a base hit off Braves closer Raisel Iglesias with two outs in the top of the sixth. He also played a clean game defensively after entering the game in the fourth inning, helping complete a brilliant defensive play by Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement to steal a hit from Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages in the fifth.
Outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela also came into the game as a defensive replacement in the fourth inning and went 0 for 2. He struck out against Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski in the top of the seventh and grounded out to second against Phillies closer Jhoan Duran in the ninth.
Closer Aroldis Chapman came on for the bottom of the ninth and got two quick outs, striking out Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker and drawing a pop out from Braves first baseman Matt Olson before Rays right-hander Bryan Baker came on to record the game’s final out.
The AL team jumped out to an early lead after loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the first. Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger capitalized with a two-run single and Yankees first baseman and Cohasset native Ben Rice followed with an RBI knock off Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez.
White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas extended the lead with a solo home run in the eighth off Wrobleski, and the AL pitching staff combined for a three-hit shutout while striking out 15 NL batters.
Following the game Bellinger was honored as All-Star Game MVP.
Caminero leaves All-Star Game
One of baseball’s brightest young stars left the All-Star Game after getting hit in the hand by a pitch.
Rays third baseman Junior Caminero went down after Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien went up and in and caught him on the fingers while attempting to check his swing during his second plate appearance in the top of the third inning. Caminero immediately left the game and was replaced by pinch runner Miguel Vargas from the White Sox.
Caminero underwent X-Rays at Citizens Bank Park, which according to the Fox Sports broadcast came back negative. The Rays star is expected to be day-to-day, though Caminero told reporters he plans to play in both games of Friday’s doubleheader against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.