The Astros dominate the first legs of the match of the stars

CLEVELAND – Justin Verlander seemed to be enjoying himself the most, and Michael Brantley received some of the strongest applause. As for George Springer and Alex Bregman, they did their usual job.
"It was a good day for us," Springer said later. "I have the privilege of playing with these

CLEVELAND – Justin Verlander seemed to have the most pleasure, and Michael Brantley had some of the strongest cheers. As for George Springer and Alex Bregmanthey did their usual thing.

"It was a good day for us," Springer said later. "I have the privilege of playing with these guys every day. Playing with them here is something special. "

The presence of the Astros at the beginning of the star game presented by Mastercard Tuesday night at Progressive Field is even better. Long before the AHL finished their 4-3 win in the National League, Verlander started for the American League and launched a scoreless first run.

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His three teammates then scored history by becoming the first teammates to get the first three successes of a star game, according to STATS Stats.

The first 3 hits of the American League tonight have all come from @astros (George Springer, Alex Bregman, Michael Brantley).

This is the first time in the history of the All-Star Games that an MLB team represents the first 3 successes of the All-Star team of the league.#STATSInsights

– Statistics by STATS (@StatsBySTATS) July 10, 2019

"It's only an exhibition, but we have a lot of talent," Verlander said. "We have a special ball club and special players, and we are well represented here."

The Astros led the American League with six players on the team, and none of them were waiting for the match with as much attention as Brantley, who played in the first 10 of his 11 seasons in the Major League and trained three star teams as a member of the Indians. .

The Indian fans also remember him and give him a nice ovation when he slips into the batter's hitting area at the bottom of the second run.

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"I had tingling in the back," Brantley said. "I was trying to seize the moment, to enjoy the moment. I had a big smile on my face. I do not smile too much on the baseball field. But you get a reception like that, you have to smile.

"That's why we play, we play for the fans, come back here and do it in front of them, and play on the left and hear the songs behind you make it even more special."

Brantley responded to the applause by scoring a double in the center-left field to score Bregman's first goal for a 1-0 lead. He raised both hands above his head on second base and made a gesture, smiling at the AL canoe. This gesture sparked more cheers. Those two hits in the second goal came after Springer led the first goal with a single and ran to third.

"This is one of the things I will always remember in Cleveland," said Brantley. "[That’s] the support that they brought me throughout the 10 years of my stay. The ups and downs, the good seasons, the bad seasons we had as a team. They have always been positive and I appreciate them very much.

His teammates had joked about the ovation that he was about to get before the presentations. But this joke also carried a message. In no time in Houston, he became respected as a good teammate and good player.

"Great," said Verlander. "I mean, the guy is such a special player, and obviously these fans here in Cleveland know it.They have been seeing it for so long.It was one of the things that was waiting for me. more, his ovation. "

Two more Astros, reliever Ryan Pressly and right-handed Gerrit Cole, were part of the AL team, but, as expected, did not launch. This did not make the selection less meaningful.

"It's something I'll always remember," said Pressly. "It was great, it's one of those things you do not forget."

For Bregman, he saw his second selection of stars as the first. This is to say that a young player spends time learning from the best of the best.

"It was very fun," he said. "Just being able to hang out and talk to all these guys, it was great. Being able to share it with them and talk about baseball was a pleasure. "

Now about Verlander. His teammates have had the opportunity to see a side of him that the Astros usually do not see. Instead of wearing headphones and getting into competition mode before the game, he laughs, shakes hands and tries to soak up his eighth star selection.

"I liked it," Springer said. "He did a few things he does not do normally. He was himself, and that's all that matters. "

Verlander laughed again as he faced Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman with two outs at the start of the first leg. Freeman, wired for the sound and speaking to FOX's TV crew, told Verlander before the match, "I'm going to escort you.

Before entering the surface, he told Verlander: "Throw me a heater." Verlander threw him one, and then finally forced him to take a brittle ball for the third shot . Both players smiled at each other and waved as the race ended.

"I guess I thought I had a lot of off-speed training," Freeman said.

Verlander recounted the exchange by saying, "I went to listen to it afterwards. I did not know that he was talking to them. It's funny, he said that he was looking for the radiator. I shouted at him to swing the bat. He took the cursor. Then he said, "Take a hit." So I did it, and it still has not rocked. It was a pleasure to come and go. "

All in all, good day for the Astros.

"Extremely proud," said Springer. "For the organization to have six guys here and a few others who might be present and who are not, I'm very, very proud of them and represent Houston and the organization."