American League shuts out National League in 2026 All-Star Game
The American League defeated the National League 4-0 in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, marking the first shutout in the midsummer classic since 2013 and featuring a record 15 strikeouts.
Philadelphia hosted the 96th MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, and the American League earned a 4-0 victory over the National League, delivering the first All-Star shutout in 13 years. The AL pitching staff limited the NL to three hits and recorded a game-record 15 strikeouts.
Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez, who entered the game with a 0.86 ERA at Citizens Bank Park, struggled in the first inning, allowing three earned runs on two hits before exiting after 34 pitches. Cody Bellinger’s two-run single in the top of the first provided half of the AL’s runs and earned him the All-Star MVP award.
During the broadcast, AL pitcher Dylan Cease and catcher Shea Langeliers were mic’d up, allowing listeners to hear their pitch selection discussion. Cease struck out Kyle Schwarber and Juan Soto before walking Freddie Freeman and finished the inning with a strikeout of CJ Abrams.
The game also saw a brief injury scare when Cardinals reliever Riley O’Brien’s 97-mph sinker struck Rays third baseman Junior Caminero on the hand. X-rays later confirmed no fracture, and Caminero remained in the lineup.
In the sixth inning, hometown star Bryce Harper initiated the first All-Star automatic ball-strike (ABS) challenge after a close call at the plate, though he ultimately struck out on the next pitch.
White Sox rookie Miguel Vargas hit a 433-foot home run off Dodgers-origin pitcher Justin Wrobleski, tying for the third-longest All-Star homer in the Statcast era.
MLB also staged a tribute to the film "The Sandlot," featuring a video of children on bicycles accompanied by Ray Charles’s rendition of “America the Beautiful” and a fireworks display before the fifth inning.