Blue Jays’ J.A. Happ saves All-Star Game for AL squad

Toronto Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ was relegated to the bullpen as the extra-inning reinforcement in the event of an All-Star Game tie by manager A.J. Hinch at the start of the mid-summer classic.

The move paid off as J.A. Happ earned his first professional save working the 10th inning and securing an 8-6 victory for the American League squad.

The All-Star was a back and forth affair that saw the two teams combine for a record ten home runs in the contest. The game was sent to extras after a pinch-hit 2-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning from Scooter Gennett off Mariners closer Edwin Diaz.

The AL contingent would put up a three-spot in the top of the tenth capped by back-to-back homers from teammates Alex Bregman and George Springer. Happ would enter the game in the bottom of the tenth with an 8-5 cushion. Bregman would later be awarded the MVP award for his efforts during the contest.

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The southpaws first pitch was a get me over strike and it was slugged over the right-field fence by Canadian Joey Votto. Happ would settle in and retire Christian Yelich via the strikeout for the first out in the inning. Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon would ground out weakly to first base before Lorenzo Cain would fly out to right field to end the game and earn Happ the save.

In 272 MLB games, the 35-year old veteran has never recorded a save even though he has 25 career relief appearances under his belt.

Happ has been the subject of constant trade rumors as he is poised to test free agency at the conclusion of the season and the Jays are on the cusp of a rebuild. This marked Happ’s first All-Star game appearance in his 12-year career and he was the lone Blue Jays representative for the 2018 Classic.

Next: Blue Jays: Phillies emerge as possible suitor for J.A. Happ

You could not ask for much more in an All-Star Game as the slugfest was one of the more entertaining games in recent memory with the good guys coming out on top once again.