For the three Dodgers taking part in the 2011 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, it was a very good night. Matt Kemp, who started in center field and batted third, reached base in his first two plate appearances. Clayton Kershaw pitched a scoreless bottom of the fifth inning. Andre Ethier delivered an RBI single in his first plate appearance.
Kemp walked in the first inning against Jered Weaver with two outs, the first baserunner of the night for either side. Then, in the fourth inning, Kemp singled off C.J. Wilson, and scored on the three-run home run by Prince Fielder of the Brewers. Kemp became the first Dodger to reach base twice in an All-Star Game since Mike Piazza in 1996. Piazza doubled and homered in 1996 in Philadelphia, winning MVP honors. Kemp flew out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
As for Kershaw, he faced three baters, and retired them all:
- DH David Ortiz: struck out on a check swing (1-2 pitch; four pitches)
- 2B Robinson Cano: grounded out to first bast (0-1 pitch; two pitches)
- C Alex Avila: grounded out, first base to pitcher (1-0 pitch; two pitches)
Kershaw threw eight pitches, six for strikes in his outing.
Ethier delivered an RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, but was caught in between first and second base. Earlier in the at-bat, Ethier hit a long fly ball down the left field line that had home run distance, but landed a few feet foul.
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