In his first-ever All-Star Game at-bat with a 2-1 count, Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew hit a two-run home run to right field at Yankee Stadium to turn a 2-0 lead for the National League into a 2-2 tie as the American League, managed by Red Sox skipper Terry Francona, went on to win 4-3 over the National League in 15 innings. Drew, inserted into the game in right field to take over for starter Ichiro Suzuki in the top of the sixth inning, ended up playing nine innings, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, two RBI, a walk, and a strikeout.

The rest of the Red Sox All-Stars, unfortunately, did not do much to help the cause, with the winner of the game earning home field advantage in the World Series for that league’s representative. Outfielder Manny Ramirez, first baseman Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia, all elected starters by the fans, went a combined 0-for-5 with a walk, two strikeouts, and three runners left on base. Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon, on to pitch in the eighth, gave up an unearned run on one hit but did strike out two batters. In the end, after four hours and 50 minutes of baseball, J.D. Drew was named the All-Star MVP, the fourth Red Sox player to ever earn the honor following Carl Yastrzemski (1970), Roger Clemens (1986), and Pedro Martinez (1999).

Tags: Boston Red Sox, Carl Yastrzemski, Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, Terry Francona