Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 32

6D WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011 RENO iASEBALL COMMENTARY Game still a hit despite faults TRIPLE-A ALL-STAR GAME 4 Aces to play in today's game TRIPLE-A ALL-STAR GAME WHO: Pacific Coast League vs. International League All-Stars, including four Reno Aces (Collin Cowgill, Cody Ransom, Konrad Schmidt and Tony Abreu) WHEN: 6 p.m. today TV: MLB Network Reno had just one representative in both the 2009 and 2010 Triple-A AU-Star games. The Aces return to Reno for an eight-game home-stand starting Thursday, following the three-day. All-Star break.

The first series, which starts at Thursday, is against the Colorado Springs SkJ Sox. Staff report A franchise-record four members of the first-place Aces will represent Reno and the Pacific Coast League in tonight's Triple-A All-Star game in Salt Lake City. Outfielder Collin Cow-gill and shortstop Cody Ransom will start for the PCL team against the International League at Spring Mobile Ballpark. Catcher Konrad Schmidt and infielder Tony Abreu were selected as reserves. The game can be seen on the MLB Network at 6 p.m., or online at MiLB.TV.

Handling play-by-play duties on the telecast will be Chris Rose, while former major-leaguer Kevin Millar will serve as analyst. American League outfielder Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays makes a sliding catch, mark j. rebilasu.s. presswire Or at least they stopped booing. "I didn't take it personally.

I think these guys took it more personally then me," he said later, nodding to his kids. "I understood that. No hard feelings." Heath Bell sliding into the pitcher's mound? Right. That's how the San Diego reliever arrived at the mound to pitch with two out in the eighth. Good thing he got the out.

Sixteen selected names were out of the game for various causes to considerable grumping. Derek Jeter most conspicuous of all, when all he needed to do was show up as the newest member of the club and tip his cap. Funny thing, though. Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that the subject of conversation was whether he might be losing a step? When's the last time there were complaints that someone missed the Pro Bowl? But so it went for two days. This game is a keeper, blemishes and all.

Any no-shows should understand that. PHOENIX We have here a summary of what's wrong with baseball's AU-Star game. The faces who bailed (especially the New Yorker with 3,004 Mike lopresti hits). The suspect selections. The World Series home field advantage conundrum.

The incessant television commercials that make the Home Run Derby longer than Harry Potter. Quite a list. Now, throw it out with the peanut shells. This event is flawed, sometimes controversial, often lacking in logic. The National League's 5-1 win Tuesday was certainly no classic, with American League pitching down to Plan B.

And yet, just when you stand over it with bat, ready to take a Jose Bautista-size whack, you notice again how, among its genre, it is light years in front. What's better, the Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup or NBA finals? Depends on who is asked. Which sport has the only All-Star game that matters? Next question. And so here's the list, not about what went wrong Tuesday night in Chase Field, but what seemed right. Ninety-nine degrees outside.

Seventy-two degrees inside. The family of Christina-Taylor Green, the 9-year-old cut down during the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson in January and the granddaughter of former major league manager Dallas Green hugging at home plate after they delivered the lineup cards. Roy Halladay needing only 19 pitches 14 of them strikes to mow down the first six American league hitters. Some might take this game lightly.

Obviously, he didn't. Prince Fielder, booed by the Arizona crowds for two days because he did not choose Diamondback Justin Upton for the Home Run Derby, ending up as the MVP. They cheered him OK when he crushed a C.J. Wilson pitch for a three-run homer in the fourth inning. MLBClippard earns win for National League METS TRADE RODRIGUEZ TO BREWERS NEW YORK Former All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez was traded from the New York Mets to Milwaukee on Tuesday night, boosting the Brewers' bullpen for a second-half run at the playoffs.

The Mets sent Rodriguez and cash to Milwaukee for two players to be named. The trade was announced right after the AU-Star game ended, yet another sign the Brewers are going all in this season. Milwaukee is tied with St. Louis for the NL Central lead, and John Axford has done well as its closer. But the Brewers have had trouble finding steady setup men.

"Francisco has been one of the best relievers in the game for many years," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said in a statement. "He is a high-quality arm who will be a tremendous asset to our bullpen as we prepare for the final months of the regular season and playoffs." Associated Press From 1D other aces started Sunday and were ineligible, Chipper Jones and Alex Rodriguez were among those on the disabled list and Derek Jeter wanted a break. In all, 16 of 84 All-Stars were dropped. Tyler Clippard got the win despite allowing a single to his only batter, Adrian Bel-tre. Clayton Kershaw, Jair Jurrjens, Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters, Heath Bell, Joel Hanrahan and Brian Wilson combined to keep the NL ahead.

Fielder won the MVP award after becoming the first Brewers player to homer in an All-Star game. The World Series edge could help him later, with Milwaukee and St. Louis i i Tt the reliever provided the image of the night, sprinting in from the bullpen in the eighth inning and tearing up the turf with a slide just short of the mound. Wilson said. "I don't know if I'd make it.

I think I'd slip, ankle, flip, next thing you know I can't pitch." In all, the Nationals have enjoyed their best run since taking three in a row from 1994-96 they had lost 12 straight games played to a decision before a 3-1 victory at Anaheim last year. Andre Ethier and Pablo Sandoval also drove in runs for the NL. The home runs were the first in the All-Star game since J.D. Drew connected at Yankee Stadium three years ago. 303 GOLF (4653) Propertv Expert 'T tied for the Central lead at the break.

"That was part of the message, how important it was for us, and how important the game was: Do it again for the National League champion," Bochy said. The NL dashed around the bases and stole three bags, all in one inning. Bell showed some speed, too Let freedom sing. And dance. And paint.

And inspire. Each year our community enjoys Artown's vibrant and noteworthy performances throughout the month of July. RGJ Media and U.S. Bank have joined with Artown as sponsors of the "Give $3 to Keep Artown Free" campaign to encourage the community to make donations to help our arts festival thrive and grow. Your $3 becomes $6 this year with a matching grant from the Robert S.

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