Houston’s Alex Bregman connects for the go ahead run in the tenth inning, earning him All-Star Game M.V.P. honors.

The Home Run Derby spilled over into a second night in DC.  In the year of the strikeout or home run, both were on full display in the All-Star Game.

Both teams combined for a record ten home runs, shattering the six that were hit in the 1971 classic.

Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, Wilson Contreras, Trevor Story, Jean Segura, Christian Yelich, Scooter Gennett, Alex Bregman, George Springer, and Joey Votto all went deep.

The ten home runs contributed to all fourteen runs that were scored in the game. It was a microcosm of the entire season, The Year of the Home Run or Strikeout. Because along with those ten home runs came twenty-five total strikeouts. More strikeouts than hits (23), which is also where baseball is trending.

With the game tied in the seventh, and a lot of late-scoring, even rallying to tie it in the bottom of the ninth, it was a thrilling game.

It may not be what purist will rally around. But it’s fun baseball.

This is the kind of game that will help the casual fan will fall in love with baseball again over. Just like last year’s homerfest World Series.

It’s the kind of game that makes you anxious for the playoffs to start. Home Run Derby plays well in October.

*****

Trade rumors from mlb.com aren’t very encouraging for Rangers fans.

According to Evan Grant, neither Choo, Hamels, nor Beltre are drawing much interest.

“While the Rangers are expected to be Trade Deadline sellers, they may have trouble finding attractive deals for many of their key trade chips. Choo is owed $42 million over 2019-20 as well as the remainder of the $20 million on his deal for this season, and he also offers little defensive value, which may be why teams aren’t lining up to deal for the 36-year-old. Hamels has struggled some this season, allowing 21 homers in 109 1/3 innings (1.7 HR/9), and he won’t come cheap. The left-hander is owed the remainder of the $23.5 million on his contract for 2018 ($2.5 million of which is being paid by the Phillies), and he has a $20 million team option with a $6 million buyout for ’19. Meanwhile, Beltre has been spending more time as the designated hitter due to injuries, and his OPS is just .739. There’s also the question of whether he will consider waiving his full no-trade clause, which comes from him having 10-and-5 rights (10-plus years in the Majors, at least five with current team). The impending free agent reportedly would like to play with the Rangers in 2019 and may approve a trade only if it’s the perfect situation.”