Did You See That? Mariano Rivera gets standing ovation

As Enter Sandman by Metallica boomed throughout Citi Field in New York on Tuesday, the Yankees closer got a standing ovation and saluted those who have only dreamed of having a career as illustrious as No. 42.

Mariano Rivera stood on the mound with his hat held high in what was an iconic moment for a revered veteran. 

As Enter Sandman by Metallica boomed throughout Citi Field in New York on Tuesday, the Yankees closer got a standing ovation and saluted those who have only dreamed of having a career as illustrious as No. 42.

The 43-year-old had just entered the game from the bullpen and was making his 13th and final appearance in the MLB All-Star Game. And the fans knew they were witnessing a piece of baseball history. 

After a lengthy applause -- fellow players included -- Rivera went to work and sat down three straight hitters on just 16 pitches en route to being named MLB All-Star Game MVP in the American League's 3-0 win. 

Take a look at the festivities below: 

What are some of your favourite Mariano Rivera moments? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Mariano Rivera named MVP as AL wins MLB All-Star Game

Mariano Rivera reported early for work, and walked off to a fitting tribute.

Summoned in the eighth inning to make sure he would pitch in his final All-Star game, the New York Yankees' indomitable closer got three straight outs and soaked up a pair of standing ovations while helping the American League to a 3-0 victory over the National League on Tuesday night at Citi Field.

"I wanted to pitch," said Rivera, who took home the MVP trophy. "I think the plan was perfect."

Rivera and nine other pitchers combined on a three-hitter as the AL snapped a three-game skid and regained home-field advantage in the World Series. Joe Nathan saved it in Rivera's place after the American League scratched out a pair of runs and got an RBI double from Jason Kipnis.

Toronto's Jose Bautista hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to plate Miguel Cabrera for the AL's first run. Bautista struck out in his first at-bat versus NL starter Matt Harvey.

Edwin Encarnacion went 0-for-2 in his All-Star debut while Toronto-born Joey Votto, playing for the National League, extended his hitless streak in All-Star games to nine at-bats with an 0-for-2 performance.

Robinson Cano hobbled off early after getting hit by a pitch from crosstown rival Matt Harvey of the hosting Mets. X-rays were negative and Cano said he shouldn't miss any games for the Yankees.

Harvey and opposing starter Max Scherzer were among a record 39 first-time All-Stars in a game that featured four precocious players 21 or younger — baseball's next generation.

Both came out throwing 99 mph heat, but it was Rivera, at 43 the oldest All-Star since Carlton Fisk in 1991, who was the center of attention in his farewell season. And on this night, with drug suspensions still looming for some of the game's biggest names, the spotlight found a player who is almost universally respected.

Enter Sandman

Baseball's career saves leader came in from the bullpen to Metallica's "Enter Sandman," just like across town at Yankee Stadium, and was left alone on the field for 90 seconds to take in a stirring ovation.

"It was a great moment. He is one of the best pitchers that's ever played this game," Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter said.

Players on both sides clapped from the top of the dugout steps, and Rivera tipped his cap to the crowd.

Then he went to work, retiring three straight hitters on 16 pitches — all cutters, as usual — before walking off to another ovation and receiving a hug from Detroit ace Justin Verlander.

"I just happened to be standing out there," Verlander said. "That's something that I will never forget."

Exit, Sandman.

Next stop, the Hall of Fame.

"It was tough. It was special," an emotional Rivera said. "Seeing the fans sharing and both teams standing out of the dugout, managers, coaches, players, priceless."

It was the latest salute to Rivera, set to retire after this season. The 13-time All-Star is on something of a farewell tour, receiving creative gifts at each opposing ballpark he visits for the final time.

He got a rocking chair built out of broken bats in Minnesota, a decorated surfboard and bottle of wine in Oakland.

The last time he was at Citi Field, though, things didn't go so well. He was honored by the Mets before a game in late May, threw out a ceremonial first ball — and then had his first blown save of the year.

While other All-Stars wore flashy spikes, Rivera stayed with traditional black. No surprise for Mr. Steady.

Rivera has thrown nine scoreless innings in All-Star play. The only older pitcher to appear in an All-Star game was 47-year-old Satchel Paige 60 years ago, according to STATS.

AL manager Jim Leyland had promised Rivera would pitch. So rather than risk waiting for a save opportunity that might never come, the Detroit Tigers' skipper made his much-awaited call one inning earlier than Rivera is accustomed.

"First class all the way," Mets captain David Wright said. "Well deserving for Mariano. I was on the top step clapping and cheering as loud as I could."

Winning pitcher Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox worked two perfect innings for the AL, which posted its third shutout and first since 1990 at Wrigley Field to trim the NL lead to 43-39-2 in All-Star games.

Both Blue Jays relievers — Brett Cecil and Steve Delabar — also made relief appearances in their first All-Star game, pitching to one batter each in the seventh inning. Both recorded strikeouts.

The National League didn't manage a baserunner until Carlos Beltran's one-out single in the fourth.

It was the ninth All-Star game in New York — most for any city — and second in five years after a farewell to old Yankee Stadium in 2008. But the only other time the Mets hosted was during Shea Stadium's debut season in 1964, when Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johnny Callison hit a game-ending homer in the ninth.

This one gave the struggling Mets a chance to pack their cozy ballpark for one of the few times all season. Fans chanted Harvey's name during pregame introductions, and the 24-year-old sensation delivered with three strikeouts in two shutout innings.

He walked off to a standing ovation and received a pat on the back from NL manager Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants, the defending World Series champions.

Young starter

Harvey was the youngest All-Star starting pitcher since former Mets ace Dwight Gooden was 23 a quarter-century ago — and the first from the home team since Houston's Roger Clemens in 2004. Gooden cheered Harvey on from the stands.

All the buildup might have made the phenom a little too excited at the start. Mike Trout doubled inside first base on his opening pitch, and Harvey drilled Cano just above the right knee with a 96 mph fastball on the third.

In obvious pain, Cano initially stayed in the game but limped off after Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera struck out — just as he did against Harvey in spring training.

Cano crossed in front of the mound while heading to the dugout, and Harvey patted himself on the chest.

"I didn't mean to, obviously," Harvey said. "I feel terrible. Apologies go out to him."

Cano has a bruised quadriceps but said he'll be ready to play when the Yankees come out of the All-Star break.

"Just a little tight," Cano said. "I'll be good for Friday."

Wright went to the mound for a calming chat with Harvey, who whiffed Jose Bautista to end the inning.

Cano's name came up all night — even after he left the game. A fan in a Cano shirt ran on the field and gave himself up to security near second base as players backed away a bit, but was tackled anyway to the delight of the crowd.

Cabrera's bat slipped out of his hands on a swing and sailed 10-15 rows deep, where it nearly clipped another fan in a Cano jersey.

Cabrera's next cut against loser Patrick Corbin produced a leadoff double in the fourth, and Bautista's sacrifice fly snapped a 17-inning scoreless streak for the AL that dated to Adrian Gonzalez's homer off Cliff Lee two years ago in Arizona.

Baltimore's Adam Jones, wearing bright orange high-tops, doubled against Lee to start the fifth and scored while J.J. Hardy beat out a potential double play. Kipnis doubled home a run in the eighth off Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel.

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Athletics' Yoenis Cespedes wins MLB Home Run Derby

The Home Run Derby champion didn't even make the All-Star team.

Yoenis Cespedes won baseball's power-hitting competition with a dazzling display Monday night, becoming the first player left out of the All-Star game to take home the crown. The Oakland Athletics slugger beat Bryce Harper 9-8 in the final round at reconfigured Citi Field, hitting the decisive drive with five swings to spare.

In his second major league season, the outfielder from Cuba flipped his bat aside and raised his left arm in triumph when he sent his 32nd homer of the night some 455 feet to centre field, where it caromed off the back wall of the black batter's eye. He was swarmed by the American League All-Stars near the third base line.

"You come for a show in New York. He put on a show," said Detroit Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer, set to start for the AL on Tuesday night.

The final addition to the field, Cespedes was the fourth player not selected for the All-Star game to compete in the event.

Right off the bat, he proved he belonged. With family in the stands, Cespedes hit a whopping 17 home runs in the first round — more than any other player managed in their first two trips to the plate.

"I felt that I was getting into a very good rhythm, and that as long as the ball was right over the plate, I felt like I was in a good groove," Cespedes said through a translator. "That was the key."

His first-round outburst was enough to send him straight into the finals, though he added six long balls in round two for good measure. Some of his drives were particularly impressive, too.

Cespedes hit about a half-dozen balls into the upper deck in left, never reached by anyone in a game, and banged another couple of shots off the restaurant windows in the corner just below.

The 27-year-old Cespedes has struggled as a sophomore, batting only .225 with 15 home runs, but hardly anyone in the game doubts his ability.

"This trophy will motivate me so that things continue to go well for me, and I just want to thank the people that believed in me, that thought I could play at this level," he said.

The 20-year-old Harper, wearing shiny gold spikes as his father pitched to him, hammered eight homers in all three rounds. But the Washington Nationals phenom couldn't keep up with Cespedes.

"He's incredible," Harper said. "He's an absolute machine."

Colorado outfielder Michael Cuddyer and Baltimore first baseman Chris Davis, who leads the majors with 37 homers, were eliminated in the second round. Davis tied Reggie Jackson (1969) for the AL record before the All-Star break.

"I had a little blister come up second round. It's just one of those things," Davis said. "I usually get one once a year and it just happened to be tonight. It actually popped during a swing. My main concern is obviously not to hurt myself and to hang onto the bat.

"It's something that I've dealt with in my career since I can remember. You've just got to kind of wear it for a couple of days and then it hardens up and you're good to go."

Cavernous dimensions

Citi Field opened in 2009 with cavernous dimensions and yielded the fewest home runs in the majors over its first three seasons, according to STATS. But the Mets erected a new fence in front of the old one, dubbed the Great Wall of Flushing, before last season, shaving dimensions by up to 12 feet and lowering the height of the wall from as high as 16 feet to 8 all around.

Since then, the ballpark has ranked closer to the middle of the pack in home runs, 18th out of 30, but it's still no hitter's haven.

Is the MLB Home Run Derby still entertaining?

In fact, hometown favourite David Wright had joked he would take his Derby swings from second base.

"This stadium may be very difficult, but it's not as difficult as Oakland. And if I can do it in Oakland, I thought, why can't I do it here?" Cespedes said.

Baseball's big boppers took aim at two trucks parked beside the home run apple behind the centre-field fence, a popular staple at Mets games dating to their days in Shea Stadium. Cespedes dinged the hood on one, bringing a rousing cheer.

Cuban reliever Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Reds brought Cespedes water and a towel during the first round, and 2010 champion David Ortiz strolled over to offer encouragement and advice.

The Rockettes danced atop the dugouts and did their famous kickline between first-round batters.

"It's far different from in Cuba," Cespedes said. "There might be two people at our games. There's only one photographer, and this is completely different and foreign to me. But I'm very happy to be here."

Wright and another hometown darling, Pirates slugger Pedro Alvarez, were both eliminated in the first round. Alvarez went to high school in New York City and grew up in the same Manhattan neighbourhood as Manny Ramirez.

Also knocked out early were defending champion Prince Fielder, the only player besides Ken Griffey Jr. to win multiple crowns, and American League captain Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees, who made Cespedes his final pick.

Cano, the 2011 champion, was booed relentlessly in Kansas City last year after he didn't tab Royals slugger Billy Butler to participate, and the Kansas City crowd was delighted when Cano went without a home run.

He connected on his third swing this time but finished last with only four.

Wright, booed in Pittsburgh last weekend for initially passing on Alvarez, hit five home runs as the sellout crowd of 43,558 chanted "Let's Go Mets!"

"I ran out of gas," Wright said.

Alvarez was added when Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez pulled out with a sprained middle finger. Gonzalez remains in the National League starting lineup for Tuesday night's game, though.

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Younger players command spotlight at MLB All-Star Game

NEW YORK (AP) Flip on any highlight show and you're almost sure to see them, with those peach-fuzz faces and boyish features beneath their big league caps.

Mike Trout makes a diving catch on the warning track.

Manny Machado whacks another double into the corner at Camden Yards.

Bryce Harper belts a tape-measure home run or barrels into a catcher ... or an outfield fence ... or whatever stands in his way.

The next generation of baseball stars has arrived - straight from the senior prom, it seems - and these guys are changing the complexion of the grand ol' game.

Derek Jeter is 39 and injured, left off the All-Star team for the first time in eight years.

Matt Harvey is 24 and merciless, with a polished array of breaking pitches to complement 98 mph heat.

``These guys are coming up now with incredible talent, these young players,'' National League manager Bruce Bochy said Monday at Citi Field, where the New York Mets are hosting the All-Star game for the first time since Shea Stadium opened in 1964. ``I think they are just getting better, faster, bigger, stronger still, and it's impressive to watch.''

No kidding.

Trout and Harper, the Rookies of the Year last season, are making their second trip to the All-Star game. This time, they will start Tuesday night after getting elected by fans with a fervor for the new boys of summer.

Some of baseball's best players are among the youngest on the field. Night after night, they put up unprecedented numbers and turn in spectacular plays that belie a birth certificate from the 1990s.

``It's good for the game,'' Trout said. ``A lot of young guys are playing fearless and making a name for themselves at an early stage in their career.''

Not only that, they move merchandise.

Jersey sales for Harvey, Harper and Trout rank among the top 10 this season based on purchases of Majestic tops at MLB.com, the league and the players' association said last week.

Harper is 20, and Trout is all of 21. Barely old enough to vote, let alone buy a drink.

Machado's jersey ranked eighth, one spot behind Jeter, even though the Baltimore third baseman has spent less than a year in the majors. That didn't stop him from earning his first All-Star selection on his 21st birthday.

``In today's era, young dudes are getting better and more prepared to come up to the big leagues,'' said Orioles teammate Adam Jones, an All-Star himself. ``It's just an improvement in the game. These young dudes are phenoms, and he's put his name up there.

``He's probably more mature than I am, and I'm 27.''

Machado was voted in by players, a significant sign of respect from his peers.

Well, mostly elders, actually. He certainly deserved it at a power-packed position after hitting 39 doubles in the first half, threatening the single-season record of 67 set by Earl Webb in 1931.

``Swing and hit the white ball coming at you. That's all it is,'' Machado said. ``There's no secret to it.''

Just like Little League, apparently. Sometimes he makes it look that easy, too. But take a swing around the majors and you see it's not only Trout, Harper and Machado.

There is Miami rookie Jose Fernandez, a 20-year-old All-Star with a Cy Young future. Don't forget lefty Patrick Corbin (23), who is 11-1 with a 2.35 ERA for Arizona. And second-year shortstop Jean Segura in Milwaukee, who leads the NL in hits at age 23.

``I feel pretty good when they compare me with those guys,'' Segura said about his place among baseball's new breed.

Then there's Harvey, the New York Mets ace with 29 major league starts to his name. His next one will be Tuesday night on his home mound opposite Detroit Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer.

``For me, he's the best pitcher in the game,'' Diamondbacks outfielder Cody Ross said this month. ``Not even just in the National League. He's really good. I faced a lot of those guys in the American League last year and I can't say that I saw anyone better than him.

``His mound presence is as good as you'll see.''

There are 12 All-Stars this season 24 or younger, seven in the National League. That's the most since a dozen were selected in 1993, according to STATS - a group that included Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Piazza, Gary Sheffield, Mike Mussina and Juan Gonzalez.

The only player from that bunch under 23 was 21-year-old catcher Ivan Rodriguez. This year, there are four.

That doesn't include Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Yasiel Puig, left out of the game after six electric weeks in the big leagues at 22. More to come from him, for sure.

``Every guy that you just mentioned plays the game hard, plays it the right way every day. It's so much fun to be part of that,'' Harper said.

``I'm not going to back off the throttle at all. I'm full speed every day.''

In all, 12 players who qualified as rookies last season made the All-Star team this year. So much for sophomore slumps.

``There's definitely a different breed of ballplayer coming out,'' Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said last weekend. ``This seems to be one of those cycles where a lot of young players are flashing quick.''

Although fresh faces are taking over, that doesn't mean all the old guys are out. Mariano Rivera, Torii Hunter, Carlos Beltran and Bartolo Colon are back at the Midsummer Classic, bringing decades of experience and wisdom.

And what impresses veterans the most about this crop of young stars is the way they carry themselves on and off the field. Harper occasionally flashes a hot temper with Washington, but opponents predominantly praise them for their all-around skill and steady performance.

``It's different from when I first came up. Just the attention, the media coverage, the pressure,'' said Twins catcher Joe Mauer, a No. 1 draft pick who made his first All-Star appearance at 23. ``To keep everything in perspective and go out there and do your job every day and stay consistent is really what makes it pretty special.

``A lot of guys can come up and have immediate success right away and the league can kind of figure you out a little bit. But those guys keep going day after day and keep producing.''

Yankees manager Joe Girardi is reminded of the mid-90s when Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra all broke in at shortstop in the American League.

``It is kind of amazing the level that these young guys are playing,'' Girardi said.

Making them just the sort of stars baseball wants to build around.

``I like the fact that they play the game the right way. They seem to get it,'' Minnesota general manager Terry Ryan said. ``They're gifted, they're energetic. It's good to see a young, up-and-coming player that represents not only their franchise well but the game well.''

---

AP Sports Writers Tim Booth in Seattle, David Ginsburg in Baltimore and Steven Wine in Miami contributed.

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Major League Baseball Power Rankings: All-star edition

1. BOSTON RED SOX [up from 3]
Record: 58-37
Last 10: 7-3

Let's designate the top spot before the all-star break for the Red Sox and Big Papi. David Ortiz, who already had the all-time record for homers and RBI as a designated hitter, passed Harold Baines with his 1,689th hit from the DH spot. At 37, he's still a force in the heart of the lineup as Boston reached the break with a club record for wins.

2. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS [Down from 1]
Record:56-35
Last 10: 7-3

Speaking of Golden Oldies, ex-Blue Jay Chris Carpenter, 38, is heading for a rehab assignment for the Cardinals. Many, perhaps even Carpenter, thought his career was finished because of the nerve ailment thoracic outlet syndrome. He's had only three starts since 2011. The Red Birds have regained top spot in the National League thanks to a .273 team average.

3. PITTSBURGH PIRATES [up from 7]
Record: 55-36
Last 10: 4-6

Now that was a seventh-inning stretch! The Pirates' MLB-leading 12th shutout was interrupted in the bottom of the seventh inning by a three-hour rain delay. Francisco Liriano did the hard lifting before the refreshing pause, closing down Oakland on four hits. Liriano, at 9-3 with an ERA just over two, is having his best season since 2006 when he was 12-3.

4. OAKLAND ATHLETICS [unchanged]
Record:54-39
Last 10: 6-4

What's a guy got to do to stick around with the A's? Dan Straily celebrated the 4th of July with a one-hitter versus the Cubs and followed five days later allowing just two hits and one run against Pittsburgh. So where did Straily, 6-2, with a 4.28 ERA, spend the all-star break? Why with the triple-A Sacramento River Cats as Oakland took advantage of its roster flexibility yo-yoing the young righty up and down.

5. TEXAS RANGERS [up from 8]
Record: 53-40
Last 10: 5-5

The Rangers are hanging tough with the A's in the battle for the AL West lead despite losing another starter to the disabled list. When Yu Darvish was shut down with a strained trapezius muscle, it marked the fourth of Texas' five opening day rotation members to hit the DL. Matt Harrison, Alexi Ogando and Nick Tepesch are the others. Meanwhile, Manny Ramirez heats up in triple-A Round Rock, just in case.

6. TAMPA BAY RAYS [up from 13]
Record:53-41
Last 10: 8-2

Streaky Matt Moore had a 22.1-inning scoreless streak, and his most recent hot streak brought him his 13th victory and a spot on the all-star team. The 24-year-old lefty started out this year winning eight of his first nine starts. Then he had two no decisions and three losses before he launched his latest run that's seen him win five straight. That's all-Star worthy.

7. ATLANTA BRAVES [down from 5]
Record: 53-40
Last 10: 4-6

Toronto may want to claim some of the credit for the push that elevated the Braves' Freddie Freeman to the all-star game in the final vote. The Jays organization came up with the idea of a joint campaign for Atlanta's Freeman and Toronto's Steve Delabar. And it worked! The 23-year-old slugging first baseman has his average over .300 after last year's 23 homer, 94 RBI campaign.

8. CINCINNATI REDS [down from 2]
Record: 52-41
Last 10: 5-5

What's the reward for a second no-hitter for the Reds' Homer Bailey? Yes, an all-expenses trip to the MLB.com Chatting Cage where Bailey answered fans' questions, mostly about what it takes to throw a no-hitter. Bailey, 5-7 this year with a 3.70 ERA, tossed a no-hitter last September against Pittsburgh and became the first to turn the trick this year with his gem against San Francisco. The no-hitters were 19 starts apart.

9. DETROIT TIGERS [up from 10]
Record: 51-41
Last 10: 7-3

While the Tigers have the best batting average in baseball and are second in runs scored, is it time to worry about Justin Verlander yet? OK, the Tigers still lead the AL Central and Verlander's 9-6 with a 3.71 ERA, but the 2011 Cy Young winner and MVP has been struggling. He's allowed five or more runs in four of his last 11 starts with an earned-run average above five.

10. BALTIMORE ORIOLES [down from 6]
Record: 52-42
Last 10: 5-5

Just in the nick of time, the Orioles applauded the return of Wei-Yin Chen to the rotation. The lefty out of Taiwan had 12 wins as a rookie last year and came back from the DL with seven innings of three-hit, one-run pitching against Texas. He's 4-3 with a 2.82 ERA in nine starts for Baltimore. The Orange Birds are a nicely balanced squad at fourth in runs scored and in ERA.

11. NEW YORK YANKEES [unchanged]
Record: 51-42
Last 10: 7-3

A 91-game wait for that? The Yankees' Derek Jeter swung at the first pitch he saw for his 3,305th hit and later left his first game of the season with a Grade 1 quad sprain. He put up an RBI in the boxscore and an MRI in the clubhouse. Ouch! Jeter joins Curtis Granderson, Kevin Youkilis and Mark Teixeira as Yankees who returned after injury only to get knocked out of the lineup again.

12. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS [down from 9]
Record: 49-44
Last 10: 7-3

Talk about blowing it! Diamondback hurlers, and that is the key phrase, lead MLB with 19 blown saves. Leading the way is J.J. Putz, with five blown in 10 chances. When Putz was on the DL for two months the D-Backs turned to Heath Bell, who averaged 44 saves a year for San Diego in a three-year stretch, and Bell's bell has been wrung on five of 20 opportunities he's had to finish off ball games. David Hernandez is 2-for-7. So much for closing time.

13. CLEVELAND INDIANS [unchanged]
Record: 49-44
Last 10: 4-6

If the Indians keep circling the Tigers' wagons in the AL Central, you know it's not because of their pitching, which ranked 28th in MLB. So figure on the offence contributing to their success and leading the way is the underrated Jason Kipnis. The first-time all-star leads the team in runs, hits, stolen bases and average. The 26-year-old is in his second full season with the Tribe.

14. WASHINGTON NATIONALS [up from 15]
Record: 47-46
Last 10: 5-5

Here are some of the Nationals' stats leaders. Homers: Ian Desmond; RBI: Ryan Zimmerman; Wins: Jordan Zimmermann; K's: Gio Gonzalez. Yet this team, which also includes Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, seems to be less than the sum of its star parts. Having only two winning streaks longer than three games is one reason why the Nats are barely above .500.

15. LOS ANGELES ANGELS [up from 22]
Record: 44-47
Last 10: 6-4

Josh Hamilton's been pretty consistent for the Angels. Yeah, right. A .204 average for April, .237 in May, .231 for June, now .286 in July. Is he en route to 43 homers and 128 RBI with a .285 average like last year? Not likely, but the free-swinging Angel in the outfield has starting hitting the long ball, which chicks tend to dig even more than fresh-smelling hair.

16. LOS ANGELES DODGERS [up from 24]
Record : 46-46
Last 10 : 7-3

The non All-Star Yasiel Puig had been the big story for the Dodgers (unless he's a last-minute injury replacement, doubtful) but almost unnoticed has been the return of Hanley Ramirez. He's been on an 18-for-42 tear as Los Angeles finally pulled themselves up to .500. That's more in line with his last year's stats of 24 homers, 92 RBI.

17. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES [up from 20]
Record: 46-47
Last 10: 7-3

In or out? The flailing Phillies are still hemming and hawing whether to bury the remnants of their dynasty and sell off some assets for the rebuild. Losing Ryan Howard for six-to-eight weeks after knee surgery and their continuous flirtation with a break-even record might tilt the balance in favour of punting the season but the club still isn't tipping its hand.

18. TORONTO BLUE JAYS [down from 14]
Record: 44-48
Last 10: 3-7

I am Japanese, studying English every day and the campaign manager for Steve 'Raise the Bar' Delabar, first-time all-star. Letting the ever-popular Munenori Kawasaki boost Blue Jays reliever Delabar's chances was a good career move for everyone involved. Holding batters to under a .200 average with a 1.74 ERA in 37 appearances tends to work well for Delabar as well.

19. COLORADO ROCKIES [down from 18]
Record: 45-49
Last 10: 4-6

CarGo, aka Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies is a most popular man in Pittsburgh, as he turned down a Home Run Derby nomination and was replaced by the Pirates' Pedro Alvarez in Monday's prime time slugfest. Gonzalez leads the National League with 25 homers so everyone pretty much knows he can mash. Colorado was also happy to get Troy Tulowitzki (broken rib) back in its lineup just before the all-star break.

20. KANSAS CITY ROYALS [down from 19]
Record: 43-47
Last 10: 5-5

Somewhere along the way Bruce Chen usually winds up starting for the Royals. It happened again Friday night when the 36-year-old Chen threw six innings of one-hit ball in his first start of the season after 19 relief appearances and a 2.41 ERA. Chen has led the Royals in wins in each of the past three seasons and made 92 starts from 2010 through 2012.

21. CHICAGO CUBS [Up from 26]
Record: 41-50
Last 10: 6-4

Here's a sign of the times. The Commission of Landmarks in Chicago approved two slightly downsized signs and a new video scoreboard in left field as part of the Cubs' Wrigley Field renovations. Alfonso Soriano, always rumoured to be traded, hasn't earned landmark status yet on Chicago's north side but the 37-year-old is second in RBI on the club to Anthony Rizzo.

22. NEW YORK METS [up from 27]
Record: 40-49
Last 10: 6-4

It's difficult to get excited about a team nearly 10 games under .500, but Citi Field in New York came alive with 41,497 vibrant fans for the latest start by wunderkind Matt Harvey, a no decison in New york's 16-inning win over San Francisco. More of the same is expected as the home of the Mets hosts the all-star extravaganza.

23. SEATTLE MARINERS unchanged]
Record: 41-52
Last 10: 5-5

With that bald pate he doesn't much look like the Splendid Splinter but Raul Ibanez is doing his best Ted Williams impersonation for the Mariners. 41-year-old Raul belted two more homers Friday night, upping his total to 24 on the season as he zeroes in on Teddy Ballgame's record of 29 homers in a season for a player over the age of 40.

24. SAN DIEGO PADRES [down from 16]
Record: 41-53
Last 10: 1-9

On June 17, the Padres were 34-36, just one game out of the wide-open National League West division lead. Since that time they've gone 5-19 and this certainly looks like the time to take a break. 34-year-old Jason Marquis has been one of the few in San Diego not to falter with a 9-4 record and 3.77 ERA, but even Marquis is winless in July despite a 2.55 ERA in three starts.

25. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS [down from 12]
Record: 42-50
Last 10: 3-7

Nearly as woeful are California neighbours the defending World Series champion Giants. Their record is right there with the Mets, barely ahead of the Cubs and their starting pitching, other than Madison Bumgarner is brutal. Is that rude? More like lewd when it comes to pitcher Chad Gaudin, charged with assaulting a female hospital patient.

26. MILWAUKEE BREWERS [unchanged]
Record: 37-55
Last 10: 4-6

One way or another Ryan Braun is still the Brewers' story. He recently returned from the disabled list only to have to exit the club on bereavement lead. The former MVP was second on the club in hitting to Jean Segura but besides his family issues he's got that Miami biogenesis matter looming just after the all-star break.

27. MINNESOTA TWINS [down from 21]
Record: 41-50
Last 10: 6-4

Nothing like a trip to the Big Apple for the Minnesota Twinkies who, unlike the iconic high-calorie snack, don't appear to have much hope for revival. The Twins were 0-for-their-first-5 versus the Yankees this year and can't seem to beat any other team either since they've dropped 12 of 13, and 17 of 21. They haven't had a pitcher go seven innings since Sam Deduno on June 27.

28. CHICAGO WHITE SOX [unchanged]
Record: 36-53
Last 10: 4-6

Alex Rios made a little history for the White Sox when he became the first player since 1900 to have a triple and five singles in a single game. After hitting .248 in June Rios said he decided to get aggressive. Maybe that would help the rest of the Pale Hose who have sunk to the second-worst record in the American League.

29. MIAMI MARLINS [unchanged]
Record: 34-57
Last 10: 4-6

Those of a certain age will recall B.J. Surhoff, who put together a decent career with the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves, collecting 2,326 hits. Talent runs in the family because B.J's nephew Colin Moran, the sixth pick of the 2013 draft, has signed with the Marlins. Moran batted .345 this year for the University of North Carolina.

30. HOUSTON ASTROS [unchanged]
Record: 33-59
Last 10: 3-7

The future is now said for the team with the worst record in baseball, the Houston Astros. So Jarred Cosart made his Major League debut Friday night with a brilliant two-hit performance over eight-plus innings to defeat Tampa Bay. Cosart, originally drafted by the Phillies, was 7-4 with a 3.29 ERA in Oklahoma City before making his debut in front of 13,347 fans at the lovely Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

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Giants' Tim Lincecum tosses no-hitter vs. Padres

SAN DIEGO (AP) The Freak is back.

Tim Lincecum tossed aside his recent struggles and pitched his first career no-hitter and the second in the majors in 11 days, a gem saved by a spectacular diving catch by right fielder Hunter Pence in the San Francisco Giants' 9-0 win over last-place San Diego on Saturday night.

Lincecum has won two Cy Young Awards and two World Series rings. Now he has something really remarkable - a no-hitter in which he threw a whopping career-high 148 pitches.

``Right now I think I'm just kind of coming down and don't know where to be emotionally,'' a calm Lincecum said.

The slightly built right-hander was in control from his first pitch until his last, which settled into left fielder Gregor Blanco's glove and set off a wild celebration in front of a pro-Giants crowd at Petco Park.

Catcher Buster Posey wrapped Lincecum (5-9) in a bear hug and lifted him off the ground. Lincecum was then mobbed by his teammates behind the mound and doused with water.

Blanco, who caught Yonder Alonso's fly ball to end the game, found Lincecum in the mob and handed him the ball.

Lincecum, who witnessed Jonathan Sanchez's no-hitter against San Diego in 2009 and Matt Cain's perfect game last year, was given a champagne shower by his teammates in the clubhouse.

``It's pretty surreal for me just to be part of that,'' Lincecum said. ``Obviously I got to see a couple with Jonathan's and Cain's perfect game, but to be in the middle of it is a little different. I think I'm still kind of pinching myself right now.''

Lincecum struck out 13. He walked four and hit a batter.

Still, he needed some help to preserve his no-no. Pence caught Alexi Amarista's sinking liner with a full dive to end the eighth. Lincecum pumped his fist as Pence excitedly jumped up and with the ball in his glove. Amarista put his hands to his helmet and pulled it off in disgust.

``That was really special. To be honest with you, I thought that was a hit off the bat by Amarista,'' Lincecum said. ``But Hunter comes flying out of nowhere and makes the Superman catch. That was awesome.''

Pence said he "just laid out and reached as far as I could and happened to just get there. I would say the whole game was one of the greatest feelings and greatest things to be a part of.''

Said Amarista: ``He got to the ball.''

Lincecum's 148 pitches were the second most thrown in a no-hitter since at least 1988, according to STATS.

Edwin Jackson needed 149 pitches for his no-no for Arizona in 2010.

Lincecum had 103 going into the seventh and might've saved his shot at history with an 11-pitch inning.

``You don't see a pitcher up over 140 pitches in a no-hitter often,'' Posey said. ``You get fatigued.''

Posey noted that Lincecum threw more than 200 pitches all night, including 40 in the bullpen warming up pregame and then eight pitches before each inning.

``It takes a toll on your body, so for him to be able to continue to execute pitches is remarkable,'' the catcher said.

Manager Bruce Bochy said he had pitching coach Dave Righetti - who threw a no-hitter for the New York Yankees on July 4, 1983 - check on Lincecum the last few innings.

``I'm superstitious at that point,'' Bochy said. ``I'm not going to say anything. There was no way he was coming out. I was just praying he didn't hit the 150 mark.

``He was just right on all night with all his pitches,'' Bochy said.

Lincecum was in a season-long funk. He was the loser when Cincinnati's Homer Bailey no-hit the Giants on July 2.

Pablo Sandoval did his part, too, when he made a nice backhanded play on pinch-hitter Jesus Guzman's grounder deep behind third base and threw him out for the third out of the seventh.

Lincecum had been struggling coming in, losing his previous four decisions and hadn't won since June 4 against Toronto. He hadn't won on the road since April 3 at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then again, he'd gotten only 12 runs of support in his last 10 starts.

The crowd gave Lincecum a standing ovation as he headed to the mound for the ninth.

Lincecum struck out Chase Headley and then retired Carlos Quentin and Alonso on fly balls to left.

Lincecum tossed the 15th no-hitter in franchise history and seventh since the Giants moved to San Francisco after the 1957 season. Matt Cain was perfect last June.

The Padres remain the only team without a no-hitter.

Lincecum lost 15 games last year and ended the season as a reliever - and a reliable one at that. He cut his hair short in the offseason, a new look as he started anew. He worked out with a personal trainer during the winter to add about 10 pounds of strength, and tweaked his mechanics.

Padres manager Bud Black said Lincecum was mixing his fastball, splitter, curve and cutter.

``He's evolved,'' Black said. ``He knows how to pitch. He keeps his poise. He has us off-balance all night.''

The Padres lost for the 18th time in 21 games and dropped a season-high 13 games under .500.

``We haven't been swinging the bats like we're capable,'' Black said. ``We're not pitching. There's a lot of things we're not doing well. The last 2 1/2 weeks have been unacceptable. We just haven't gotten it done.''

While Lincecum dominated the Padres, the Giants jumped all over San Diego's Edinson Volquez (6-8).

Posey and Sandoval had three hits apiece. Pence hit a three-run double and finished with four RBIs against Volquez, and then homered off Joe Thatcher leading off the eighth.

Brandon Belt hit a two-run home run an estimated 414 feet into the sandy play area beyond the fence in right-center in the fourth inning.

Volquez allowed eight runs and nine hits in five innings, struck out six and walked one. He threw 107 pitches.

NOTES: The four-game series concludes Sunday with a matchup of lefties. Barry Zito, who went to high school in San Diego, is scheduled to start for San Francisco and Eric Stults is scheduled to start for the Padres.

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Dakers: Time for Blue Jays to think about next year

With their post-season hopes continuing to fade, I hope the Blue Jays will use what's left of the season to identify the positions where they are weakest and start planning to improve them for next year

Major League Baseball is approaching its All-Star break, traditionally thought of as the midpoint of the season, though the Toronto Blue Jays will have played 94 of their 162 contests when the break begins on Monday.

Semantics aside, what should we expect from the Jays in the second half?

Barring a miracle, we can't expect them to work their way into post-season contention. Heading into Friday's game in Baltimore, Toronto is 11.5 games behind AL East leader Boston, and eight games back of wild card co-leaders Texas and Tampa Bay.

I hope the Jays will use what's left of the season to identify the positions where they are weakest and start planning to improve them for next year. The spots most in need of upgrades are starting pitching, second base, catcher and left-field.

Let's take a look at each.

Starting pitching

Toronto has three starters who will likely return to the rotation next year: R.A. Dickey, who should use the second half of this season to show us he can be somewhat consistent; Mark Buehrle, who looked awful at the start of the season but has been the team's most consistent starter for the past month; and Brandon Morrow, who should be back after the All-Star break as he looks to stay healthy over the second half of the season.

The Jays should figure out which of the following pitchers could make up the rest of the 2014 rotation, or else pursue a trade or free agent in the off-season.

• Esmil Rogers: It's hard to believe that a guy who looked so bad as a reliever could turn into a good starter. Since joining the rotation, he has a 3.27 ERA, but he must show the Jays that his arm can stand up to a starter's workload over the second half.
• J.A. Happ: The lefty was part of the rotation until a line drive off the head on May 7 put him on the DL, where he remains as he recovers from a sprained knee suffered during the same mishap.
• Drew Hutchison: The young righty is starting a rehab assignment as he battles back from the Tommy John surgery that ended his rookie season last July. Most pitchers can come back from Tommy John and be just as good as they were before.
• Marcus Stroman: Toronto's first-round pick in 2012 has looked great in Double-A New Hampshire, putting up a 5-2 record with a 3.26 ERA. He has 58 strikeouts with just 12 walks in 49 innings. Some think that he would be better off as a reliever, but the Jays would like to see if he can start. If he continues to pitch well, we could see him in Toronto before the end of the season.
• Kyle Drabek: Also coming back from Tommy John surgery, Drabek has to prove his arm has recovered, then prove to the Jays that he can throw strikes, which has been a problem for him.
• Ricky Romero: It's going to take more than three good starts at Triple-A Buffalo to prove himself, considering how bad he's been, but it's a step in the right direction. The Jays still owe him $8.1 million US, so he's going to get every chance to show he can earn it.

Second base

This position has been a black hole for the Blue Jays this year, with Emilio Bonifacio, Maicer Izturis, Mark DeRosa and Munenori Kawasaki combining for a major-league worst minus-2.0 WAR and .227/.269/.345 slash line (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) at the position. A change will have to be made for next year.

Brett Lawrie has been playing second during his minor-league rehab stint, with the thought that he could be moved there when he returns to Toronto. I'm not a fan of the idea. Lawrie has proven himself to be pretty fragile, so I don't want to see players sliding into him to break up double plays. And moving Lawrie to second might fill the hole there, but it would open another one up at third base.

GM Alex Anthopoulos is going to have to work the trade or free-agent market to find a solution at second (or third if he wants to move Lawrie) this off-season.

Catcher

J.P. Arencibia thinks his problems have been discussed too much, but he does need to improve. Right now he ranks second from the bottom in all of major league baseball in on-base percentage at .255, his batting average is just .220, and his defence is poor. Yes, he can hit home runs, but he should be so much better than he has shown. Arencibia called out his critics in the media, but he needs to be told that he has to improve or the Jays will have to look for someone else to be the starting catcher.

Left-field

The Jays signed Melky Cabrera to fix the hole they had last year in left-field. It hasn't worked out. Cabrera has put up a .278/.321/.362 slash line and a minus-0.4 WAR. In Melky's defence, he has been trying to play through leg problems that have landed him on the DL. Hopefully when he gets back it won't be so painful to watch him run. Rajai Davis has done a nice job filling in, but he isn't the player I'd like to see out there full time.

Cabrera's other problem is that he has been named in the Biogenesis scandal and he may be looking at another suspension in the near future. If he were to get a 50-game ban, we wouldn't see him again this year. If the commissioner's office were to hand 100-game suspensions to the players named in the scandal, Cabrera would miss a significant part of next season as well.

If Anthony Gose was showing well in the minors, missing Cabrerae wouldn't be as big a deal, but Gose has been very disappointing this season, hitting just .226/.313/.307 at Triple-A Buffalo. If Cabrera is going to miss significant time next season, the Jays may have to look outside the system to replace him.

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Redmond, Blue Jays look for rebound in Baltimore

Called upon to make his second career start in spot duty for the Toronto Blue Jays, Todd Redmond turned in an impressive performance.

A repeat effort could be tough to come by as he encounters one of baseball's most powerful lineups.

Redmond looks to keep the Baltimore Orioles in the park Saturday as they host Toronto.

The Blue Jays couldn't have asked for much more from Redmond (1-1, 3.55 ERA) Sunday considering their rotation's struggles this year. He limited Minnesota to one hit - a two-run homer - and three walks over five innings of an 11-5 victory.

"He couldn't have done a better job," manager John Gibbons said.

Toronto will take all the pitching help it can get, with its starters ranking near the bottom of the majors with a 4.91 ERA. Redmond's showing was enough to earn another start after he had also posted a 3.52 ERA over three relief appearances earlier this season.

The right-hander's only previous big league experience was a rough start last year for Cincinnati that saw him surrender four runs over 3 1-3 innings in a loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Redmond will look to avoid results similar to that of Mark Buehrle in Friday's series opener, an 8-5 Baltimore victory. All eight runs came against the left-hander on homers by All-Stars Chris Davis, Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy.

Davis' homer - his second in as many days and his 13th in his last 27 games versus Toronto - improved his major league-leading total to 35. Hardy had gone 19 games without a home run, a span in which he was 10 for 66. Jones' homer was his fifth in the last eight games versus the Blue Jays.

The Orioles (52-42) lead baseball with 128 homers and they've totaled 19 in their last eight meetings with Toronto 44-48).

"That's what they do in a great park to hit home runs," Gibbons said. "They had the two big three-run homers, but you've got to expect here that's going to happen. You have to go toe to toe."

Baltimore starter Jason Hammel (7-5, 5.03) will also have to mindful of the long ball, as J.P. Arencibia and Edwin Encarnacion homered for Toronto, which ranks second in the majors with 114 home runs.

Hammel gave up one run over five innings in a 2-1 road win against the New York Yankees on Sunday - breaking a six-game losing streak for the Orioles in his starts - but his winless stretch grew to seven starts as he failed to record a decision.

He's surrendered six home runs over his last two starts versus Toronto after giving up four in his previous seven against the Blue Jays.

Encarnacion, who was 5 for 29 during a nine-game homerless drought before Friday, is 6 for 14 off Hammel with two homers, including one in a 7-6 victory June 21.

Jose Bautista fell to 2 for 24 over his last six games after going hitless in five at-bats with four strikeouts Friday. He's 2 for 14 off Hammel and 2 for his last 32 at Camden Yards.

The Orioles have won 10 of 13 at home against the Blue Jays.

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Jays reliever Steve Delabar elected by fans to All-Star Game

Toronto reliever Steve Delabar and Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman won the fan voting for the final spots in next week's All-Star game, meaning Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Yasiel Puig is likely headed for a few days off after a terrific stretch to begin his major league career.

The final vote for the AL team had some controversy, with Tigers manager Jim Leyland nominating five middle relievers for the spot. There was some talk about whether the list should have included more high-profile players, since the All-Star game is essentially geared toward the fans.

Delabar won with 9.6 million votes. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 37 appearances for the Blue Jays.

The Braves and Blue Jays had partnered up in the process, asking their fans to vote for each other's player.

The other players on the list included righties David Robertson of the Yankees, Joaquin Benoit of the Tigers, Koji Uehara of the Red Sox and Tanner Scheppers of the Rangers.

Freeman set a record with 19.7 million votes, and Puig was second. Major League Baseball did not release the vote total for Puig, but did say the Cuban defector also surpassed the previous record for the final vote of 15.6 million for Shane Victorino in 2009.

"It's unbelievable," Freeman said. "I'm kind of speechless. I wouldn't be here without the fans and I just saw that it's 19.7 million votes. It's incredible and it's just a dream come true."

Freeman was taking ground balls during batting practice before Atlanta's home game against Cincinnati on Thursday night when general manager Frank Wren called him over and told him about his first All-Star selection. The slugger is batting .307 with nine homers and 56 RBIs in 78 games.

"I never, ever thought that I would make one," Freeman said. "I just wanted to get to the big leagues and when I got here I just wanted to win ballgames. All-Star games were not on my mind.

"To win this is just beyond me."

Puig will not get to play in the July 16 game at Citi Field unless he is added as an injury replacement. The outfielder is batting .394 with eight homers and 19 RBIs heading into Thursday night's home game against Colorado, helping the Dodgers shoot up the NL West standings following a slow start.

But Puig has only been in the majors for five weeks, leading some to question whether he belongs on the NL team.

Freeman and Puig finished ahead of San Francisco outfielder Hunter Pence, Washington shortstop Ian Desmond and Los Angeles first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

MLB said a record 79.2 million votes were cast between the two leagues, easily cruising past the previous record of 68.6 million from 2009. Votes were cast through text message, Twitter and MLB.com.

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Baltimore next up for slumping Blue Jays

Stuck in last place in the AL East, manager John Gibbons expressed concern following the Toronto Blue Jays' latest loss.

He knows things aren't about to get any easier with a visit to Camden Yards.

The Blue Jays try to get back on track Friday night when they open a three-game set against Chris Davis and the Baltimore Orioles.

After posting 11 consecutive victories, Toronto (44-47) has lost 11 of 17 to fall three games back under .500. The Blue Jays went 5 for 28 with runners in scoring position while dropping two of three at Cleveland, falling 4-2 in Thursday's finale.

"We didn't hit a home run in the series," said Gibbons, whose team is 12-22 when failing to homer. "When you look at it, when we win, we hit home runs. Our bats have gone cold in the last week. We've had some spurts but overall we're not swinging it real well."

Jose Bautista is mired in a 2-for-19 slump and Edwin Encarnacion is 2 for his last 18.

"Those are the guys the team revolves around but two guys can't do it all the time," Gibbons said.

Toronto is now 11 1/2 games behind East-leading Boston, and Gibbons believes his team is in danger of falling out of contention.

"We're right on that edge," he told MLB's official website. "We have to start winning some games. We have three more before the break, but Baltimore has a pretty darn good team, too, and it's in their home park."

While the Blue Jays have taken four straight from the Orioles (51-42), they've dropped nine of 12 in Baltimore since the start of last season.

Manger Buck Showalter's club is coming off its 18th home win in 25 tries, 3-1 over Texas on Thursday. Davis snapped an 0-for-17 skid with his major league-leading 34th homer and Brian Roberts also went deep.

Davis, who drove in his 86th run, has already surpassed his previous career highs of 33 homers and 85 RBIs set last season. His home run total is the highest in baseball before the All-Star break since 2001, when Barry Bonds had 39 and Luis Gonzalez hit 35.

"We know he's talented, but to have 34 and 86 before the break is just crazy," Roberts said of Davis, who is batting .380 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs in his last 26 games versus Toronto. "It's been fun to watch."

The Orioles now turn to Chris Tillman (10-3, 3.92 ERA), whose seven-game winning streak was snapped Saturday in a 5-4 loss at Yankee Stadium. The right-hander yielded five runs and a career worst-tying 10 hits in 5 1-3 innings

Tillman is 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA in his last three starts versus Toronto. Bautista is 6 for 15 with two homers in their matchups, and Encarnacion is 4 for his last 9.

The Blue Jays counter with Mark Buehrle (5-5, 4.50), who has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last six starts. The left-hander threw seven innings of six-hit ball to beat Minnesota 4-0 last Friday.

Buehrle is 7-5 with a 2.97 ERA in 16 career starts against the Orioles, but he hasn't faced them since 2011. Nick Markakis is 13 for 31 with two homers in their matchups, and Davis and Nolan Reimold are a combined 9 for 18, each taking him deep once.

Blue Jays reliever Steve Delabar will join Bautista, Encarnacion and fellow reliever Brett Cecil at Tuesday's All-Star game after winning the AL final vote. Delabar is 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 37 relief appearances.

Bautista is a career .179 hitter at Camden Yards, his lowest average at any AL ballpark.

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