All fans attending the Home Run Derby Monday night at Coca-Cola Park were given commemorative lanyards and ticket holders. The design pays clever tribute to the All-Star game, the Lehigh Valley region, and the host team, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. It also incorporates a version of the Moravian star, a symbol of the city of Bethlehem. Well, the National League finally defeated the American League in the All-Star game. The AL scored its only run on an error by Dodgers reliever Hong-chi Kuo in the 5th. The NL scored its runs on a bases-clearing double by Braves' catcher Brian McCann in the 7th. Charlie Manuel out-managed Joe Girardi, who made some questionable moves and non-moves. Manuel was happy havng McCann go against the AL's Matt Thornton because he knew McCann, a familiar nemesis in the NL East, could hit Thornton's low-riding fastball. Before the at-bat, Manuel supposedly told McCann just to pretend Thornton was wearing a Phillies' uniform. I fell asleep just after McCann doubled in the three runs.
In a little bit of good news, back-up catcher Dane Sardinha has cleared waivers and will report to the IronPigs tomorrow.
It's now pouring in the Lehigh Valley, putting tonight's Triple-A All-Star game in jeopardy. More rain is forecast throughout the day. Get out of our way, clouds!
