1 of 5 | New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger holds the crystal bat after being named MVP of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Photo by Laurence Kesterson/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) — American League pitchers combined to allow just three hits in a domination of the National League for the first All-Star Game shutout victory in 13 years Tuesday in Philadelphia.
New York Yankees teammates Cody Bellinger, who was named MVP, and Ben Rice were responsible for the game’s first three runs in the 4-0 triumph at Citizens Bank Park.
Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas logged the game’s lone extra-base hit — a 433-foot solo homer in the eighth inning.
“I don’t have the words to describe this moment,” Vargas said on the Fox broadcast. “It kinda felt like when I made my debut. It was an unbelievable experience. I’m glad to be here around all these superstars.”
The American League reached base through five of the game’s first seven plate appearances. Bellinger drove home Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez and Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers with an RBI single to start the scoring in the first inning. Rice plated Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. two pitches later.
National League starter Cristopher Sanchez, who had a 50 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings streak for the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this year, did not see another inning.
Meanwhile, American League pitchers Dylan Cease, Parker Messick and Michael Wacha kept the National League hitless and allowed just one baserunner through the first three innings of the 96th edition of the Midsummer Classic.
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto recorded the National League’s first hit against Joe Ryan in the fourth. Fellow American League pitchers Nick Martinez, Cade Smith, Drew Rasmussen and Jacob Latz proceeded to continue the dominant outing, not allowing another National League over the next three innings.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland teamed up with the Boston Red Sox’s Aroldis Chapman and Tampa Bay Rays’ Bryan Baker to keep the National League scoreless over the final two innings.
Vargas’ blast came off a 2-0 slider from Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski. Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong joined Soto as the only players to record hits for the National league.
Langeliers, who went 1 for 1 with a walk, was the only player to reach base more than once. Alvarez, Bellinger, Vargas, Rice and Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras also recorded one hit apiece.
With Tuesday’s win, the American League secured its 11th victory over the last 13 editions of the Midsummer Classic. American League pitchers registered 15 strikeouts and issued just two walks in the lopsided triumph.
The MLB regular season will resume Thursday, when the Philadelphia Phillies host the New York Mets at 7:10 p.m. EDT in Philadelphia.
St Louis Cardinals slugger Jordan Walker competes in the final round of the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on July 13, 2026. Walker won the Home Run Derby after hitting six consecutive home runs to defeat Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. Photo by Laurence Kesterson/UPI | License Photo
