PHILADELPHIA — America the beautiful rang throughout Citizens Bank Park.<\/p>\n
Nothing captures the American spirit like the nation’s pastime, baseball.<\/p>\n
The 96th annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game took place in the birthplace of America, Philadelphia, 250 years since the formation of the country.<\/p>\n
Philly and MLB leaned into the history and put together a beautiful display before the ballgame.<\/p>\n
But once the fireworks disapated and the ceremonies were complete, it was time to play baseball.<\/p>\n
MORE: Philadelphia showcases true passion during Home Run Derby<\/a><\/p>\n First inning woes<\/p>\n Cristopher Sanchez took the mound for the National League All-Stars to began the game.<\/p>\n The hometown ace, Sanchez struck out Los Angeles Angels’ centerfielder Mike Trout to start the party.<\/p>\n However, Sanchez quickly began to lose command of his best pitch, the change-up. A single by Houston Astros’ DH Yordan Alvarez and a walk to Athletics’ catcher Shea Langeliers, Sanchez was in quick trouble<\/a>.<\/p>\n A walk to Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr, loaded the bases for Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees. Bellinger singled in two, scoring the first runs of the game.<\/p>\n Another would score on a single by Ben Rice, also of the New York Yankees.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sanchez would finish the inning, before walking off to a cheerful Philly crowd.<\/p>\n Highlights and lowlights<\/p>\n In the top of the third inning, St. Louis Cardinals reliever Riley O’Brien entered the ballgame.<\/p>\n O’Brien lost control of a pitch that ran up and in on Tampa Bay Rays’ third baseman Junior Caminero. Caminero quickly exited the ballgame. Later x-ray testing results came back negative, which is a sign of relief for Tampa.<\/p>\n In the bottom of the fourth, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo entered his first All-Star Game. Luzardo, made quick work in his first appearance, retiring the order 1-2-3<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before the top of the fifth began, the stadium gave a rousing firework display as Ray Charles’ rendition of America the Beautiful played. Recreating the famous scene from the Sandlot, kids riding bikes made their way onto the field in what was a beautiful display of patriotism and baseball.<\/p>\n