Everything Nick Castellanos And Craig Kimbrel Did At The All-Star Game
Last night was the All-Star game. Judging by the conversation we had on the radio leading up to it, many of you probably did not tune in. We asked callers,…
Before the game, they of course announce all the players named to the All-Star rosters. Here are Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel taking the field together after being introduced as the Phillies representatives at the game.
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Last night was the All-Star game. Judging by the conversation we had on the radio leading up to it, many of you probably did not tune in. We asked callers, did Twitter polls, and read your Tweets. And the overall consensus was that not many of you were going to check in last night to watch the festivities. But if you were telling the truth, you missed out on seeing the Phillies' two representatives both playing a role in the NL team's win.
Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel were the Phillies' two players selected in the All-Star game. Nick Castellanos was originally selected for the team, and then Craig Kimbrel joined when other NL Pitchers had to drop out. And without the two of them there, the NL Team may not have won.
Castellanos came into the game in the 5th inning to replace Mookie Betts in centerfield. Yes, you read that right, center field. Unfortunately, we did not get to see him do too much out there. Apparently, all the AL players were smart enough to avoid hitting it to Center because they knew Nick would have made a play on it if they did. The only action he got was fielding a single hit out to center field. But he did make an impact at the plate. Castellanos went 1-2, including a walk. In fact, it was that walk that set Elias Diaz up to hit a go-ahead HR.
And then in the 9th inning, Craig Kimbrel is who the NL team looked to for the save. And as he has all season, he shut the door on the other team. He did walk two guys, but in the end, he got the save to give the NL Squad the win.
If you missed all of that, you can catch up on how it all looked below:
Gatorade All-Star Workout Day
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel hanging out in the outfield at the All-Star Day workouts. Should there have been more Phillies there? You could certainly make a case for Bryson Stott. JT and Bryce are usually at the game, but given their slow first halves it is probably fair that they did not make the team this season. You could also argue Gregory Soto and Jose Alvarado deserved to be there, but given how many bullpen arms there are, there will always be some great ones left out of the game.
Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel Take The Field
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Before the game, they of course announce all the players named to the All-Star rosters. Here are Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel taking the field together after being introduced as the Phillies representatives at the game.
Nick Castellanos in... Center Field?
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)No one ever thought of Nick Castellanos as a center fielder. And yet, that is where he wound up when he came into the game for the NL in the 5th inning. He replaced Mookie Betts, to play centerfield for the first time in his career. And technically only one ball landed in Center field on his watch, so maybe there is something to him playing center. Watch out Brandon Marsh, Nick is coming for the Centerfield job.
Nick Castellanos's First At-Bat Doesn't Go Well
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Nick Castellanos first got as chance to bat in the 6th inning. It did not go great for him. He fouled off two pitches, took a ball low and in, but then struck out swinging at a changeup at the bottom of the strike zone. He would get two more at-bats, and they would go much better. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Nick Castellanos sliding into 2nd Base
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)In the top of the 8th inning, Nick Castellanos had a hell of an at-bat. A 9 pitch walk. That included 5 foul offs, before eventually taking ball for outside the plate. Afterwards he would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Though that didn't matter much given what Elias Diaz would do later in the at bat.
Elias Diaz Drives Nick Castellanos in with a HR
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)After Nick's walk, and then his advancement to 2nd on a wild pitch, Diaz drove them both in on a 360ft HR that just got over the left field wall. Meaning that Nick Castellanos was the tying run, and Diaz of course the go-ahead run. Even though Nick was not the main hero, it was cool to see Nick play a role in getting the NL team the win. If he doesn't walk, all Diaz does is tie the game, and then who knows if they go on to win it.
Nick Castellanos Singles in the 9th inning
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Nick Castellanos got one more chance to bat in the top of the 9th. And once more, he came up for his team. He hit a first pitch 2-out single off Pablo Lopez, moving Juan Soto to 2nd base. Lopez struck out Diaz in the next at bat, so the single never led to anything. but still- 1-2, with a walk and a run, is a pretty good night by Castellanos at the All-Star Game.
Craig Kimbrel comes in for the Save
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)When he needed to close out the game, of course NL Manager Rob Thomson looked towards his own closer. He called Craig Kimbrel's number in the bottom of the 9th while his team had just a 1 run lead.
Craig Kimbrel Closes The Door on The AL Team
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Craig Kimbrel did what he did all season. He came into the game 14 for 14 in save situations. And he remained perfect in the All-Star game. He did walk two guys. But he also struck out two. Including getting Jose Ramirez swinging to end the game.
Craig Kimbrel and his NL Teammates Celebrate After the 3-2 Win
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)The NL team won 3-2. Thanks in large part to the contributions of Nick Castellanos and Craig Kimbrel. The Phillies didn't have many representatives at the game, so the two who did make it made sure their presence was felt. Not to mention it was the Phillies coaching staff that managed the NL Team to the victory. All things considered, a pretty good night for the Phillies brand.
