Mike Trout couldn't have enjoyed a better night for his first All-Star Game.
The Los Angeles Angels rookie got a single off New York Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, stole a base and caught a fly ball in left field. All in all, he couldn't have asked for anything more.
Trout and teammates Jered Weaver and Mark Trumbo all got playing time Tuesday, as did Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw, in the National League's 8-0 win over the American League at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. But it's doubtful anyone had a better time than Trout.
First, he got to spend time with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, his idol as a kid growing up in Millville, N.J., the day before the game. Then he and Trumbo got into the game as defensive replacements in the sixth inning. In addition to his single off Dickey, he also drew an eighth-inning walk.
"It was my dream come true as a kid," Trout told FOX Sports after the game. "I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life."
Weaver pitched a scoreless fifth inning, although he walked Washington Nationals rookie Bryce Harper, but Trumbo had a rough night at the plate. He struck out twice, once against Dickey and once against Cincinnati Red closer Aroldis Champman, who blew a 98-mph fastball past the Angels slugger.
Kershaw, meanwhile, worked the bottom of the fifth inning but inexplicably found himself in a bases-loaded jam, needing 27 pitches. David Ortiz hit a one-out single to left before the next batter, former Angels player Mike Napoli, lofted a fly ball to left that should have been caught. But Harper lost the ball in either the lights or the fading daylight, and the ball landed behind him for a single.
Kershaw retired Curtis Granderson on a bouncer back to the mound before Asdrubal Cabrera of Cleveland walked to load the bases. But Kershaw got Ian Kinsler on a fly ball to left — and this one Harper caught.
Strangely, Weaver had to wait his turn to pitch, despite his 10-1 record and league-leading 1.96 ERA. He was the fifth pitcher in the game for the AL, following starter Jason Verlander, Joe Nathan, David Price and Matt Harrison.
Weaver now has pitched two scoreless innings in two All-Star Game appearances.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera, who hit a two-run homer in the fourth off Harrison, was the game's MVP.
