McCann's three-run double lifts NL, 3-1

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Fittingly in this Year of the Pitcher, runs came at a premium at Tuesday night's All-Star Game. But this Midsummer Classic seems likely to be remembered for something else. It became The Year the National League Finally Won.

If the Yankees make the World Series and try to repeat in memory of George Steinbrenner, they'll do so without the home-field advantage. A three-run double with two outs in the seventh inning by the Braves' Brian McCann gave the National League an exciting 3-1 victory over the American League at Angel Stadium - the NL's first triumph since 1996.

"It's extremely important," AL and Yankees manager Joe Girardi said, "and whoever is in the World Series is going to have to work hard, and ending the streak is disappointing as well. But we have an opportunity to start a new one next year."

McCann was named the game's MVP. He helped his Braves - or, perhaps, his rival Mets or Phillies - should they advance to the Fall Classic.

The Yankees' Phil Hughes, who allowed a pair of one-out singles while pitching in relief, took the loss. Robinson Cano drove in the American League run with a fifth-inning sacrifice fly.

The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez didn't play in the game, prompting some questions about Girardi's managing. Girardi said he considered pinch running or pinch hitting A-Rod in different scenarios, but added that those scenarios didn't come to fruition - even though Boston's slow-footed David Ortiz got thrown out on a rare 9-6 force play in the ninth on an apparent single.

"I was ready to go," Rodriguez said, but he didn't seem particularly disappointed afterward and said he is healthy. "It's not my first [All-Star Game]," he said. "I'm ready to go on Friday. This is a great game for the fans. I look forward to a great second half."

The game featured only two half-innings with scoring, and Hughes began the seventh for the AL with a 1-0 lead. He retired the Reds' Joey Votto on a grounder to second, but the Reds' Scott Rolen singled to center and motored to third on a single to center by the Cardinals' Matt Holliday.

With the Dodgers' lefty-hitting Andre Ethier due up, Girardi lifted Hughes for White Sox lefty reliever Matt Thornton, who retired Diamondbacks pinch hitter Chris Young on a foul pop to first. Thornton got ahead of the Cubs' Marlon Byrd 0-and-2 before walking him.

The lefthanded-hitting McCann then ripped a 98-mph fastball from Thornton down the rightfield line, bringing home three runs.

The AL threatened in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on first and third with two outs and bringing home-team favorite Torii Hunter to the plate, but he struck out against the Cardinals' Adam Wainwright.

The Giants' Brian Wilson and the Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton pitched relatively tranquil eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Ortiz singled to lead off the ninth and one out later, the Blue Jays' John Buck blooped an apparent single, but rightfielder Byrd threw out Ortiz for the 9-6 play at second before the Rangers' Ian Kinsler flied to center to end it.

Nationals reliever Matt Capps received credit for the win.

The game's first run scored in the fifth on Cano's sacrifice fly to leftfield. It followed a walk to the Rays' Evan Longoria and a two-base error by the Dodgers' Hong-Chih Kuo on a comebacker by the Twins' Joe Mauer. Kuo airmailed it into foul territory, evoking a "Whoa!" from the crowd.

With the Yankees' representatives wearing black armbands to honor Steinbrenner, Derek Jeter went 1-for-2 with a walk, Cano was 0-for-1 and Nick Swisher struck out as a pinch hitter in the seventh. Andy Pettitte threw a scoreless third inning.

David Wright, the Mets' lone representative, went 2-for-2 with a stolen base.