The 2025 MLB All-Star Game was tied 6-6 by the end of the ninth inning. Instead of extra innings, fans got something new.
Decided by baseball’s first ever All-Star swing-off, the National League beat the American League in a swing-off to notch its second ASG win in three years. Each team sent three players to the plate with three swings each, creating a mini-Home Run Derby to decide the game.
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The AL fielded a trio of Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker, Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena and Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda, while Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers, Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso were the guys for the NL.
Rooker put the NL in the lead early with two long balls to one from Stowers, but then Schwarber delivered an absolutely clutch 3-for-3 performance to put the NL ahead going into the final round.
Aranda went 0-for-3 to leave Alonso, who forewent the Home Run Derby for the first time of his career this year, hanging and give the senior circuit the win.
Naturally, Schwarber was named All-Star Game MVP after the game.
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For fans wondering why Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and other superstars weren’t involved, swing-off participants are decided before the game depending on which players volunteer. Players also often leave the All-Star Game early to get a headstart on a mini-vacation ahead of the second half of the season.
The AL erased a 6-0 lead to force the swing-off
The National League should have had the game won during regulation. It jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the sixth inning, powered by homers from New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll.
Alonso delivered the biggest hit of the night, until the swing-off, with a three-run homer off Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic.
The AL didn’t go quietly, though. After Carroll’s homer made it 6-0 in the sixth inning, the AL made it a game again with a seventh-inning rally. Rooker, who was eliminated from the Home Run Derby on Tuesday by a literal inch, added another dinger to his total for the week with a three-run shot.
Some nice baserunning from Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia added another run in the same frame.
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The NL entered the bottom of the ninth inning with San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez and New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz in reserve, with a two-run lead. It didn’t go well. The AL got to Suarez quickly and moved to within a run on an RBI double from Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. Then Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan scored him on an infield single.
Here’s how the entire 2025 MLB All-Star Game went down via Yahoo Sports:
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