Here’s what Giants and A’s representatives did in Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game
Only two of the four All-Stars representing Northern California’s Major League Baseball teams made appearances Tuesday night in the Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia.
Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers and San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez participated in the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday and modest to minimal contributions while A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz and Giants right-handed Logan Webb, a native of Rocklin in the Sacramento area, earned nods for the American League and National League, respectively, didn’t participate.
Lanageliers started the game at catcher and hit third in the lineup while the American League won a largely uneventful affair, 4-0, at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies. He took a four-pitch walk in his first-inning plate appearance and scored on a two-run single from eventual MVP Cody Bellinger.
Langeliers singled to right center in the third inning and made out as part of a fielder’s choice later in the inning. He was replaced by Detroit Tigers catcher Dillion Dingler in the fourth inning.
Langeliers was supposed to be one of two A’s position players starting in the game, but Kurtz on Saturday was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right thumb capsule strain.
Kurtz would have been the club’s first starter at first base since Jason Giambi’s MVP campaign in 2000. Yankees star Ben Rice started at first in Kurtz’s place, with Tristan Peters of the Chicago White Sox filling the roster spot vacated by Kurtz.
Named a starter for his first All-Star Game appearance, Langeliers through the unofficial first half of the season hit 21 home runs with 46 RBI while posting a first-half slash line of .257/.324/.483. His .807 on-base plus slugging percentage ranks second in the American League among catchers behind Dingler. Langeliers was the first A’s catcher to start an All-Star game since Terry Steinbach in 1989.
For the National League, Arraez was a reserve behind starting second baseman Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves. He entered the game in the top of the sixth on defense and was struck out by Texas Rangers left-hander Jacob Latz in his only at-bat in the seventh inning.
Arraez was named an All-Star for the fourth time after making it in 2022, 2023 and 2024. He came into the break slashing .330/.369/.829 while being a rare bright spot in an otherwise tough season for the Giants. The 29-year-old signed with San Francisco in free agency on a one-year, $12-million contract.
Webb was named to the team for the third straight season but didn’t pitch, as NL manager Dave Roberts said he’d only be available in an emergency capacity to protect his health after pitching in the World Baseball Classic before the season started and dealing with a knee injury in May.
Webb hit the All-Star break with a 5-7 record and 3.86 ERA with 90 hits allowed in 100 1/3 inning, and he was named the National League Pitcher of the Month in June..
The A’s will resume their season Friday by hosting the Washington Nationals at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento hoping to snap a nine-game losing streak. The Giants will travel to play the Seattle Mariners.
Both Northern California teams are 41-55 and considered long shots to salvage their seasons and reach the playoffs.
