Braun has two hits in All-Star Game as NL wins easily

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KANSAS CITY - Ryan Braun ended an 0-for-7 drought in All-Star Games last night, as he helped the National League crush the American League 8-0 at the Mid-Summer Classic in Kansas City.

The Milwaukee left-fielder drove home the game’s first run with a double over the head of Toronto right-fielder Jose Bautista. Braun then scored on a three-run triple by Pablo Sandoval of San Francisco. All told, the NL scored five runs in the first off Detroit starter Justin Verlander – who lasted just one inning. In the fourth, Braun set an All-Star Game record with his team’s third triple. And he was denied of a third hit when Bautista made a sliding catch of Braun’s looper to right. Braun also made a couple of nice defensive plays in left. He ran down a drive at the wall by Josh Hamilton of Texas in the first inning.

Braun then snared a liner from his former Brewers’ teammate Prince Fielder in the fourth. Fielder went 0-for-2 on the night. San Francisco starter Matt Cain got the win. And the National League won its third straight All-Star Game with retired Saint Louis manager Tony La Russa running the show. Braun praised La Russa, saying quote, “If you’re trying to win one game, there’s not a better manager out there … It’s only fitting that he went out with a win.” The NL once again gets home field advantage in the World Series. The Brewers will open the second half of their season on Friday night at home against Pittsburgh.

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The Milwaukee Brewers have called up shortstop Jeff Bianchi from Triple-“A” Nashville. The team did not immediately announce the move. But Bianchi mentioned it on his social media site, and Brewers’ manager Ron Roenicke confirmed it after last night’s All-Star Game. The 25-year-old Bianchi will make his first appearance in the big leagues. He replaces utility infielder Taylor Green, who was sent down to Nashville on Sunday to get some more at-bats to improve his swing. Roenicke says Bianchi is versatile, and he’ll play a reserve role like Green did. He’s expected to get an occasional start at short. Bianchi, a right-handed batter, started the year at Double-“A” Huntsville where he led the Southern League with a .351 batting average. He was later promoted to Nashville, where he hit .305 in 51 games with a homer and 13 RBI’s.

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