National League wins MLB All-Star Game in historic ‘swing-off’ tiebreaker

ATLANTA, Ga. (WRBL) — The 95th MLB All-Star Game took place in Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday night. The National League took the victory in Braves country in an unprecedented “swing-off” after the game was tied 6-6 through nine innings.

The swing-off tiebreaker is the first of its kind in history after it replaced extra innings in 2022 with the league’s current collective bargaining agreement. Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber received the game’s MVP award after belting three home runs in three swings to take the lead in the derby-like finale.

The NL struck early in the first inning with three consecutive hits highlighted by Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte’s double that drove in two runs, one of which being hometown favorite Ronald Acuña Jr.

The 2-0 score stood strong as the All-Star pitchers traded goose eggs for several innings. Action would return in the sixth when the NL piled on with a three-run shot from Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, who ironically received boos inside the Braves ballpark prior to his at-bat. Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll smoked a solo homer shortly after to push the NL to a commanding 6-0 lead.

The very next inning however, the AL finally broke through with a major three-run bomb by Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker. Then an RBI groundout by Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had cut the deficit to three. Witt came right back with an RBI double that paired with Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan’s game-tying RBI single in the ninth inning.

The tie score prompted the swing-off competition in which three hitters from each team had three swings each as the team with the most home runs would be the victors. Schwarber’s hat trick then stole the win for the NL in historic fashion.

“I’m just happy that it’s going to be, you know, we get a win with the National League and that it’s going to be coming home with us to Philly. It’s an honor,” said Schwarber.

“It was it was great. Everything all around the fans were great. You know, the coaching staffs, everybody in here, it’s just a good event,” said Braves first baseman Matt Olson.