Young Comes Up Big in 15th
On an evening honoring the rich tapestry of Yankee Stadium’s history, the American League won again.
In the longest All-Star Game in history, Michael Young’s sacrifice fly delivered the final blow, allowing the AL to defeat the NL in 15 innings, 4-3, on Tuesday.
The final twist took hold with the Phillies’ Brad Lidge on to work the 15th. Justin Morneau slid home after Young’s fly ball to right, with Corey Hart’s throw home arriving just a little bit too late.
The thrilling conclusion couldn’t have come without the gifted right hand of Mariano Rivera — it was where the final All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium belonged, and almost as importantly, where the thousands filling the grandstands demanded it be.
He entered a tie game with one out in the ninth, satisfying the wishes of most of the crowd of 55,632, which many had on New York Yankees merchandise. Rivera’s work in the ninth was typically efficient, but he needed the help of his infield in the 10th, getting a double play on a Dan Uggla hit to preserve the tie.
It was a Midsummer Classic — in every sense of the phrase — taking place in a building best known for its immaculate stage.
It was the House that Ruth Built. It was where Don Larsen was perfect, where Roger Maris toppled the Babe and where Reggie Jackson forever acquired October with just three swings.