Mike Trout named All-Star Game MVP as AL beats NL, 5-3

Mike Trout won the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player award following the American League’s 5-3 victory over the National League in the MLB All-Star Game at Target Field in Minneapolis on Tuesday.

Trout went 2 for 3 with a double and a triple.

Trout’s selection as the game’s MVP represents a changing of the guard of sorts. Trout grew up in New Jersey watching Derek Jeter play for the Yankees, and it was Jeter’s last appearance in the midsummer classic.

Trout already has earned a reputation as a clean-cut player and positive clubhouse influence, as Jeter has been throughout his legendary career.

The award comes with a new Corvette for an all-smiles Trout, who celebrated with family members on the field after the game.

Ninth inning

Minnesota’s Glen Perkins retires Miguel Montero, Josh Harrison, Charlie Blackmon to seal the victory for the American League over the National League.

Perkins earned a save, and the Tigers’ Max Scherzer recorded the win.

The American League representative in the World Series will have home-field advantage.

Eighth inning

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu flew out to left field leading off the bottom of the eighth, and Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and the Mariners’ Kyle Seager grounded out to end the inning.

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After committing an error at first in the bottom of the seventh, the Braves’ Freddie Freeman responded with a single in the top of the eighth.

Reds third baseman Todd Frazier followed with a walk, but Mets second baseman David Murphy struck out against Mariners righty Fernando Rodney and ended the top half of the inning.

Seventh inning

In the bottom of the seventh, White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez rifled a line drive at Freddie Freeman and reached on an error with one out, but he was the only base runner against the Braves’ Craig Kimbrel.

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Royals right-hander Greg Holland pitched a perfect top of the seventh. Three up — Josh Harrison, Charlie Blackmon, Hunter Pence — three down.

Sixth inning

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre walked with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, but Dee Gordon threw out Michael Brantley after making a wide-ranging, sliding, highlight reel stop on the grass.

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The NL threatened with one out but was unable to create a run.

Aramis Ramirez doubled to left and advanced to third on Dee Gordon’s groundout. Red Sox right-hander Koji Uehara replaced Athletics lefty Scott Kazmir and induced a strikeout from the Reds’ Devin Mesoraco to end the inning.

Fifth inning

Pat Neshek, the Cardinals right-hander with the funky delivery, started the bottom of the fifth.

Mike Trout gave the AL the lead again, 4-3, with an RBI-double that scored Athletics catcher Derrick Norris and chased Neshek.

Nationals right-hander Tyler Clippard replaced Neshek and allowed a sacrifice fly to his first batter, the Astros’ Jose Altuve, but pitched out of the inning without further damage. The AL leads, 5-3.

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Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer pitched around a double by Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitski to toss a scoreless top half of the inning.

Scherzer struck out the Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt and the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig in the inning. Puig has struck out three times in the game.

Fourth inning

Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw pitched a perfect bottom half of the inning, retiring Jose Bautista, Nelson Cruz and Adam Jones.

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White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez came on to replace Derek Jeter in the top of the inning.

Jeter exited to an ovation from the crowd and players, tipping his cap appreciatively and shaking hands in the dugout. The stadium speakers heralded him with “New York, New York” as he trotted back up the dugout steps for a curtain call.

Chicago White Sox southpaw Chris Sale pitched the top of the inning. After Sale hit Chase Utley with a pitch, the Dodgers’ Dee Gordon entered the game as a pinch runner.

Brewers catcher Johnathan Lucroy scored Gordon and tied up the game, 3-3, on a two-out, RBI-double.

Third inning

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter opened the bottom half of the third with a single, making him 2-for-2. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, but Mike Trout, Robinson Cano and Miguel Cabrera followed with three straight outs.

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Yasiel Puig continues to struggle in his first All-Star Game. After going homerless in Monday’s Home Run Derby, Puig has struck out in his first two All-Star Game at-bats. He went down looking to Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish to start off the third inning.

Darvish retires the NL batters in order.

Second inning

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw replaces Adam Wainwright on the mound for the NL and retires Adam Jones, Josh Donaldson and Salvador Perez.

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Chase Utley drives in Aramis Ramirez on a sharp line drive to center field to put the NL on the scoreboard. Ramirez reached base on a single.

The NL added another run on the next at-bat when Jonathan Lucroy hit a run-scoring double to score Utley.

First inning

Derek Jeter received a standing ovation from the crowd at Target Field during his leadoff at-bat for the AL. Jeter then hit a double into the right field corner.

Jeter then scored on the next at-bat when Angels star Mike Trout hit a triple off the right-field wall.

Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run home run on the next at-bat, scoring Trout from third to give the AL a 3-0 lead. NL pitcher Adam Wainwright is off to a rough start.

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The NL’s Andrew McCutchen beat a great defensive play by AL shorstop Derek Jeter to barely run out the throw made by the Yankees star to first for a single. McCutchen advances to second on a wild pitch before stealing third base.

The inning ends with McCutchen stranded at third after AL starter Felix Hernandez strikes out Yasiel Puig and Troy Tulowitzki.

Pregame

Folks at Target Field in Minneapolis better have their cameras ready.

Tonight’s All-Star game marks the final appearance by Yankees great Derek Jeter in the midsummer classic.

It has been a season of goodbyes for Jeter, who has received mementos and tributes from around MLB while traveling the circuit for away games this year.

Jeter was selected for his first All-Star Game 16 years ago in 1998. Cal Ripken Jr. started at third base — one of his last All-Star games — and the AL won, 13-8, at Coors Field.

Jeter replaced starting shortstop Alex Rodriguez in the bottom of the fifth with the National League at-bat and struck out his only time up to the plate.

Last year, Yankees legend Mariano Rivera received a resounding and emotional standing ovation when he entered the game for the AL in his final season. Jeter likely will be greeted just as warmly.

Jeter will bat in the leadoff spot for the American League in the bottom of the first.

Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright will start for the NL against Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez.

NL manager Mike Matheny (Cardinals) chose his own ace as the starter over Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw to the consternation of many fans in L.A. Kershaw was denied the starting nod last year as well.

Kershaw is joined by teammates Dee Gordon, Zack Greinke and Yasiel Puig.

Mike Trout and shortstop Erick Aybar will represent the Angels for the American League, who are managed by the Red Sox’s John Farrell.

Puig and Trout will start.

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