National League Wins MLB All-Star Game For 2nd Straight Year

After going 14 years without a victory in the MLB All-Star game, the National League now has two wins in a row.

Milwaukee's Prince Fielder hit a 3-run homer and was named the game's MVP as the National League defeated the AL in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday night, 5-1.

The victory gave the National League home-field advantage in the World Series this fall.  It's the NL's first two-game winning streak since the mid-1990s.

Washington's Tyler Clippard got the win despite allowing a single to Adrian Beltre, the only batter he faced. Relief pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Jair Jurrjens, Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters, Heath Bell, Joel Hanrahan and Brian Wilson combined to keep the National League in control.  Fielder won the MVP award after becoming the first Brewers player to homer in an All-Star game.

Several big names were no-shows at Chase Field in Phoenix tonight.  Detroit's Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez of Seattle, Tampa Bay's James Sheilds, CC Sabathia of the Yankees and other aces started Sunday and were ineligible.  Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, Chipper Jones of the Braves and Yankees 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez were among those on the disabled list while Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter sat out due to fatigue. In all, 16 of 84 All-Stars didn't play in this game for one reason or another.

Hunter Pence did play and the former Tri-City ValleyCat had a great game.  Pence, who played for the ValleyCats back in 2004, was the Houston Astros lone representative in the Mid-Summer Classic.  He went 1 for 2 with a single, a run scored and an outfield assist.  He threw out Toronto's Jose Bautista at the plate in the 4th inning.

The National League has won two in a row for the first time since taking three straight from 1994-96.  They had lost 12 straight before a 3-1 victory at Anaheim last year.