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		12 straight wins for the AL By Jeremy Kahn July 14, 2009
	New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera (R) and Cleveland Indians catcher Victor Martinez of the American League congratulate each other after defeating the National League in Major League Baseball's All-Star game in St. Louis, July 14, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Stone (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)
	They may be called the “Junior Circuit,” but lately the American League is becoming the dominant league in the All-Star Game. Curtis Granderson of the Detroit Tigers tripled, and scored the eventual game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning and the American League made it 12 straight with a 4-3 victory over the National League at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Carl Crawford of the Tampa Bay Rays was elected MVP after saving a possible home run off the bat of Brad Hawpe of the Colorado Rockies in the top of the eighth inning. By winning the MVP, Crawford became the first non-pitcher to win the award with no runs batted in since Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants won the award in 1968. Tim Lincecum made the start for the National League, and went two innings, giving up two runs (one earned) and struck out one in gaining a no-decision in his first All-Star Game appearance. Last season, Lincecum got sick and was unable to pitch in the game at Yankee Stadium, a game that the American League won 3-2 in 15 innings. Jonathan Papelbon of the Boston Red Sox got the win, and as fate would have it, Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees picked up the save. When Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays retired Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins that ended the second, the American League would not allow a National League player to reach base until Joe Nathan of the Minnesota Twins walked Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. President Barack Obama threw out the first pitch to Albert Pujols of the hosts St. Louis Cardinals, and Obama came out to the mound wearing a Chicago White Sox jacket. The last time Obama threw out a first pitch was before Game Two of the 2005 American League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Chicago White Sox, a game that the White Sox would win on their way to eight straight in the post-season on their way to their first World Championship since 1917. Rookie relief pitcher Andrew Bailey, the lone representative for the Oakland A’s did not get into game.