The Milwaukee Brewers’ only representative does not make it into Tuesday night’s All Star Game in Miami, won by the American League 2-1 on a homer by Robinson Cano in the tenth inning. Reliever Corey Knebel says he would have pitched the eleventh for the National League, and he was warmed up and ready to go. Some fans on social media complained that the N-L manager — Joe Maddon of the Chicago Cubs — purposely held his Milwaukee rival back. But Knebel took the high road, calling it a fun experience anyway. He says it was “surreal,” knowing he was in the minors at this time last year. Knebel calls it a “dream come true” just to be introduced with his fellow N-L reserves during the pregame ceremonies.
Two former La Crosse pitchers from the Northwoods League bring their best stuff to the Majors’ best hitters, as Chris Sale and Max Scherzer started Tuesday night’s All Star Game. Sale went two innings as the American League starter — he gave up three hits and struck out two — and he threw his fastest pitch since 2015 as he hit 99-point-five-miles-an-hour. The other former La Crosse Logger, N-L starter Max Scherzer, fanned two and surrendered one hit in his only inning. Madison native Pat Neshek and former Milwaukee starter Zack Greinke each pitched one inning of relief for the National League, each giving up one hit as Greinke fanned one. On the A-L side, former Brewers’ reliever Brandon Kintzler threw one perfect frame, ex Milwaukee prospect Michael Brantley singled in two trips, and former Brewers’ prospect Nelson Cruz went oh for two.
