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Mic’d up Alek Manoah shines as American League wins the All-Star Game

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Photo credit:Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Laing
1 year ago
A day after we got a chance to watch future Toronto Blue Jay Juan Soto [i’m manifesting ok?] win the MLB Home Run Derby, we got to see a few current Jays.
It was Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk who were starters for the American League, with The Big Man Alek Manoah pitching the second inning.
Manoah was the star of the show fanning three batters and hitting one with a pitch as the American League went on to win 3-2.
“It’s kind of who I am. Might strike you out, might hit you. You never know,” he said to TSN’s Scott Mitchell after his outing.
He also got mic’d up during his stint and in typical Alek Manoah fashion, he won everyone over with his “three punchies,” as he described them.
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Jul 19, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; American League pitcher Alek Manoah (6) of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after his third strike out against the National League to end the second inning of the 2022 MLB All Star Game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Vladdy was the first Blue Jay we got a look at Tuesday night. Batting fourth in the order in the American League, Vladdy ground out ending the first frame.
Alejandro Kirk was behind the plate to kick off the bottom of the first for the AL catching for Rays starter Shane McLanahan. The latter struggled giving up two earned runs on four hits, and when the inning rolled over, things got fun.
Manoah came up to the plate, and man — did he steal the show. He punched out William Contreras and Joc Pederson, before hitting Jeff McNeil with a pitch. Lastly, the AL order rolled back to the top and Manoah faced Ronald Acuna Jr. They battled it out, but Manoah walked out wining it by fanning the Braves slugger.
The best part of Alek’s appearance was hands down the fact that FOX had mic’d him up. He was talkative through the whole thing talking velo and pitches, and tipping off the pitches Kirk was calling.
At the top of the third, Kirky came up to the plate with one out amid some “Let’s Go Kirky” chants, but ended up lining out on a broken bat. We got to see Vladdy at the top of the fourth, and while he got underneath one, it died at the warning track.
For the two, it marked the end of their all-star game appearances.
There was a great moment when players from both teams stood at the foul line with standing up to cancer cards. Vladdy held a card with Buck Martinez and Jamie Campbell’s name on it, as did MLB insider Ken Rosenthal.
Santiago Espinal drew up to bat in the top of the seventh, but ended up grounding out. We got one more look at him in the top of the ninth where he drew a walking ending his day with an impressive .500 OBP.
The only downside of it all? We never got to see Jordan Romano pitch.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.

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