American League Takes Miami's First All-Star Game In Extra Innings

MIAMI, FL — The 88th Major League All-Star game in Miami ended in extra innings on Tuesday with the American League picking up a 2-1 victory on a solo shot by Seattle's Robinson Cano in the top of the 10th inning. The dramatic finish capped off a memorable opening ceremony in which eight Latin-born members of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame threw out eight ceremonial first pitches to start the action in the Magic City's first appearance as host of the Midsummer Classic.

Cano was named the 2017 Ted Williams Most Valuable Player and given the choice of a new Corvette or a Chevy Colorado truck. Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Patch.)

"That's an easy choice. I'll take the Corvette," he said. "To be honest, I almost bought that car 10 years ago but I was like, 'you know what, I'll get it later' and look at what happened tonight."

Like Miami Patch on Facebook

The Magic City was set to host the All-Star Game back in 2000 but it was later moved to Atlanta after the team was stripped of its marquee players by then owner Wayne Huizenga following the team's World Series victory in 1997.

Even after the 17-year-wait, the event was bittersweet for Miamians who were reminded of the loss of pitching ace Jose Fernandez. Florida investigators recently determined that Fernández was captaining a 32-foot Sea Vee when it crashed into a South Beach jetty at a high rate of speed on Sept. 25, 2016, killing himself and two others on board.

The big game also arrived in South Florida at a time when Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria appears on the verge of selling the team. Groups in the running reportedly include popular Miami singer Pitbull, former Florida Governor and 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush, former Yankee great Derek Jeter and basketball legend Michael Jordan.

Nationals ace Max Scherzer took the mound to face the first American League hitter at the start of Tuesday's All-Star Game. Scherzer has the best earned run average in the National League.

Former Marlins catcher Ivan Rodriguez was among the Latin Hall of Famers who participated in the ceremonial first pitch. He was part of the 2003 Marlins team that delivered a World Series victory for South Florida.

The game was played at Marlins Park with Marlins fan favorites Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton representing the fish on the National League squad.

Batting for the first time in the bottom of the second inning, outfielder Ozuna struck out to end the inning. Homerun Derby champion Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees hit into a double play in his first at bat to end the top of the third. Stanton also struck out in his first at bat in the bottom of the third.

Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox opened the game for the American League. The game was scoreless after four innings of play but the National League team left the bases loaded at the bottom of the third.

The American League scored first in the top of the fifth inning as Miguel Sano of Minnesota dropped a blooper into right field to score Baltimore's Jonathan Schoop. The run gave the American League a 1-0 lead. Yadier Molina of St. Louis hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning.

While Molina's game-tying slam captured headlines behind the plate so did his flashy gold catcher's gear. Twitter erupted with comparisons between Molina and a famous Star Wars character.

The score remained tied after nine innings, throwing the game into extra innings. Cano of the Seattle Mariners opened the 10th inning with his solo home run to give the American League the edge.

Back in 2002, the All-Star Game, ended in a 7-7 tie when the two teams ran out of suitable relief pitchers and then commissioner Bud Selig declared an end to play.

Marlins Park photo courtesy Miami Marlins