Rocky homecoming: Arenado, NL teammates drop 8th straight

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado jogged out of the dugout and tipped his cap to a cheering crowd at his former home stadium.

That tribute meant a lot.

From there, the cheers were few and far between for Arenado and his National League buddies in a 5-2 loss to the American League contingent during the All-Star Game at Coors Field on Tuesday night. It was the eighth straight loss by the NL.

“AL’s awesome,” Boston right-hander Matt Barnes cracked of the winning streak. “I might be biased because I’ve only ever played in the American League. Honestly, I have no idea. Sometimes there are crazy anomalies in sports like that, that have no rhyme nor reason. We have a really good ballclub out there. We really do.”

The NL went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base.

"Unfortunately, I’m a part of three of them,” NL manager Dave Roberts said of the losing streak. “Not ideal but I hope I get a chance to win one next year.”

It would be fitting for the Dodgers skipper.

Next season, the game will held be at Dodger Stadium — a makeup from 2020 when the All-Star Game was canceled after the season’s start was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Arenado was the fan favorite as the crowd of 49,184 showered him with applause when he came out of the dugout and again when he did an on-field interview at his customary spot — third base. He spent eight seasons in Denver before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in the offseason.

He appreciated the kind reception. He's always appreciated his time in the Mile High City even as things turned sour between him and the front office.

“Sometimes when you do good work, sometimes it doesn’t get noticed. Sometimes you want to be appreciated for what you did,” said Arenado,...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Rocky-homecoming-Arenado-NL-teammates-drop-8th-16313096.php