Morning Wood - All Star Edition

American League 5 National League 4

The National League made it somewhat interesting in the 9th inning, loading the bases with two outs, but the American League hung on to win its tenth straight All-Star Game last night in San Francisco.

Ichiro Suzuki won the MVP thanks to the first inside-the-park home run ever hit in an All-Star game. As if it wasn't a good enough night for Ichiro, Ken Rosenthal reported during the game that he's on the verge of signing a new contract with the Mariners for five years, worth between $90-$100 million. I wonder if there will be an impasse over a no-trade clause?

There is some controversy surrounding the end of the game, though.

Albert Pujols isn't very happy with his manager, Tony LaRussa, right now. LaRussa kept Pujols on the bench throughout the game in case it went to extra innings because he can play him in the outfield or the infield. Still, in an All-Star Game with the bases loaded and two outs in the 9th inning, down by one, how can you not send Albert Pujols up to the plate? I love Aaron Rowand as much as any White Sox fan, but I'd rather have Pujols up there. If he gets a hit, two runs are going to score anyway so the game would be over.

As for the Chicago connections, Alfonso Soriano's two run shot in the 9th inning is what made the game interesting, and Derrek Lee went 1-for-2.

Then there was Bobby Jenks. Poor Bobby. He's now been in two straight All-Star Games and is yet to throw a single pitch. Maybe it was just Jim Leyland's way of screwing the White Sox.