For several innings, Wednesday night's game was tied at 3 runs apiece. Then in the top of the 8th inning, the visitors scored one go ahead run.
Was it a minor league repeat of what happened in St. Louis one night earlier? No. An insurance run was scored in the top of the 9th, and the South All Stars held onto win, 5-3 at Trenton's Waterfront Park.
Bowie Baysox second baseman Miguel Abreu's two hits, two runs, two stolen bases, and fine defensive work helped him earn the game's Most Valuable Player Award. Teammates, who during most of the year are Abreu's rivals, playfully smashed a pie in his face after the game.
Designated hitter Jason Delaney singled in the go ahead run in 8th.
"I was glad I was able to help the team get a win," Delaney says. "Anytime athletes put on a uniform, we want to be competitive."
Delaney also remarked that despite what people say about baseball all-star games, he feels they count for something.
"In essence, this game is like an exhibition one," he says. "But we're always in it to win."
How They Scored
The South jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Catcher Carlos Santana belted a double that brought in one run. The following batter, Marvin Lowrance, singled and drove in two runs.
In the North's half of the frame, shortstop Eduardo Nunez hit an RBI single that made it 3-1 South.
Two more runs came the North's way in the fourth. Leftfielder D.J. Wabick of Binghamton hit a double that drove in a run, and put himself on second, and a runner on third. What followed was an RBI groundout by second baseman Brock Bond. A 3-3 tie held for the next few innings.
In the eighth inning, Delaney worked the aforementioned magic. In the ninth, rightfielder Michael Taylor hit an RBI single that nearly drove in two runs. Yet the runner coming from second base was thrown out at the plate.
It didn't matter though, as the North could only muster a pair of singles in their portion of the ninth, both coming with two outs.
"It's tough to lose, but someone had to," claims Trenton Thunder Manager Tony Franklin, who was the North's skipper in this year's All Star contest. "I'm pleased with the way the guys played, so, you just move on."
Game Festivities
A sellout crowd of 7,474 packed the stands at Waterfront Park. They enjoyed Mercer county Executive Brian Hughes' ceremonial first pitch, the mascot contests, the game's suspense, the eats, and the fireworks after. During that display, Lee Greenwood's signature hit "God Bless The USA" played loudly. Most in attendance had a delightful time.
"I thought this was great," says spectator Lacy D'Agostino of Lawrence, NJ. "I liked the game, the fellow fans, the souvenirs, and of course the fireworks."
The location for the 2010 Eastern League All Start Game will be announced this autumn.
