CLEVELAND, Ohio — Down to his last strike, Steven Kwan delivered for the American League All-Stars on Tuesday the same way he has delivered so many times for the Cleveland Guardians.
Kwan’s RBI infield single off Mets closer Edwin Diaz with two out in the top of the ninth inning completed a six-run rally for the AL and tied the score in the 95th All-Star Game.
Kwan’s heroics forced the first ever home run derby tiebreaker in an All-Star Game, a rule first instituted head of last year’s Midsummer Classic in Texas.
The National League went on to claim its second victory in the last 12 All-Star Games as Kyle Schwarber blasted three home runs on three swings in the tiebreaker derby.
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But it was the AL Central Division on display in the ninth, sparking the late rally as Twins center fielder Byron Buxton and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. hit back-to-back doubles off Padres closer Robert Suarez to pull within a run. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts then summoned Diaz, the final pitcher remaining in the bullpen from the NL.
Diaz retired Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a hard smash down the first base line that was stopped by Braves first baseman Matt Olson as Witt Moved to third, bringing Kwan to the plate. Kwan battled Diaz for seven pitches, ultimately chopping a ball toward Eugenio Suárez at third and beating the throw at first as Witt scored.
It was Kwan’s first All-Star hit and RBI in four plate appearances. He later moved into scoring position by stealing second base, but was stranded there when Randy Arozarena struck out.
THIS GAME IS TIED!
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Kwan waited most of the night before entering the game during the bottom of the sixth as a defensive replacement in left field for starter Riley Greene, who struck out twice in three at-bats.
After falling behind in the count during his first at-bat against Milwaukee closer Trevor Megill in the seventh, Kwan grounded out to Suárez to end the inning.
A three-time Gold Glove Award winner, Kwan ran down a shallow pop fly near the left field line off the bat of Elly De La Cruz for the second out of the eighth inning.
Kwan went hitless in his two plate appearances last year during the All-Star Game in Arlington with a walk and a run scored when Juan Soto delivered a two-run double in the third inning.
