The Texas Rangers didn't have home-field advantage in the World Series in 2010 or 2011 because the American League lost the All-Star Game.
If they get back there this year, they'll have it.
The AL All-Stars used brilliant pitching, highlighted by Mariano Rivera's 1-2-3 eighth inning in his final Midsummer Classic, and shut out the National League 3-0 on Tuesday night at Citi Field. The AL ended a three-game losing streak to the NL.
Nathan closes it out: To ensure Rivera pitched in the game, AL manager Jim Leyland used Rivera in the eighth inning in case the NL rallied in the bottom of the eighth. So Rangers closer Joe Nathan got the ninth inning and earned his first All-Star Game save with two strikeouts and a pop up to second base to end the game. Nathan did allow a two-out double to Paul Goldschmidt.
Cruz enters in sixth: Nelson Cruz entered the game in the sixth inning in right field. He led off the top of the seventh against Aroldis Chapman and drew a walk but didn't score. Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion followed by grounding into a double play. Cruz also had an RBI chance in the ninth inning and hit a ground ball to second base with the infield back, but the slow-footed Prince Fielder stayed at third base.
Darvish gets welcome: Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish didn't pitch in Tuesday's game because of mild strained back muscle, but he did go through pregame introductions.
Davis gets hit: Former Ranger Chris Davis was 1-for-3 with a single in the fourth inning that helped the AL score its first run.