2016 MLB All-Star Game: Eric Hosmer’s blast makes it 1-1 (Video)

Jul 7, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) at bat early in the game against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) at bat early in the game against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Down 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning, the American League struck back, thanks to a solo shot by Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer.

The American League was blanked in the first inning, after a solo home run by Chicago Cubs’ phenom Kris Bryant gave the National League a 1-0 lead in the top half of the inning. The American League fought back in the bottom half of the second, as Kansas City Royals’ slugger Eric Hosmer deposited a 1-1 pitch for a home run into the left field stands.

The home run came off of a friendly face, as Hosmer hit his solo shot off of former teammate Johnny Cueto. Cueto was a member of the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship team, who beat the New York Mets in five games.

The blast was the first home run by a Kansas City Royal since Bo Jackson hit one in the 1989 All-Star Game. Jackson, who also starred for the NFL’s Los Angeles Raiders, won the MVP that year, as he became the first player in All-Star Game history to homer and steal a base in the game.

A three-time Gold Glove Winner, Hosmer is playing in his first All-Star Game, so blasting a home run in his first All-Star at-bat must have been special.

Two batters later, Royals’ teammate Salvador Perez blasted a home run of his own, becoming the third Royals player to homer in an All-Star Game. The dingers gave the American League a 3-1 lead heading into the third inning.

For more MLB All-Star Game coverage, check out our hub page.