Detroit Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera and left-handed closer Gregory Soto appeared for the American League team in the 2022 All-Star Game on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Cabrera, 39, was selected to the 12th All-Star Game of his 20-year career, this time as an “All-Star Legends Selection” — along with St. Louis Cardinals great Albert Pujols — by commissioner Rob Manfred.
Soto, 27, received his second consecutive All-Star selection in his second year as the Tigers’ closer and his fourth MLB season.
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In the fifth inning, Cabrera entered as the pinch-hitter for Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels) and took over as the AL’s designated hitter. Cabrera, facing right-hander Luis Castillo (Cincinnati Reds), grounded out to shortstop on the second pitch for the first out.
It was Cabrera’s lone plate appearance. Ex-Tiger J.D. Martinez (Boston Red Sox) pinch-hit for Cabrera in the seventh inning and struck out on three pitches against right-hander Devin Williams (Milwaukee Brewers).
Soto entered with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to face Ian Happ (Chicago Cubs), after Jorge Lopez (Baltimore Orioles) retired the first two batters of the inning. Soto got ahead 0-2 against Happ but threw four straight balls for a walk.
Putting Happ on first base brought 2022 Home Run Derby champion Juan Soto (Washington Nationals) to the plate. The Tigers’ Soto fired the fastest pitch of his outing — a 100.4 mph sinker — with his first pitch to the Nationals’ Soto.
He grounded into a force out to end the inning.
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The AL held on for a 3-2 win, its ninth straight All-Star Game victory. All three AL runs were scored in the fourth inning, thanks to a two-run home run from All-Star Game MVP Giancarlo Stanton (New York Yankees) and a solo homer from Byron Buxton (Minnesota Twins).
Soto made the AL’s All-Star team by posting a 2.59 ERA with 15 walks and 32 strikeouts over 31⅓ innings in 33 games this season. He has converted 18 of 20 save chances in 2022 and 36 of 39 chances across the past two seasons.
Although Cabrera was a special selection, he has been one of the best players for the offensively inept Tigers this season, batting .287 with eight doubles, three home runs, 16 walks and 74 strikeouts in 79 games.
Prior to 2022, Cabrera made the All-Star Game in four straight seasons with the Florida Marlins (2004-07) and seven straight seasons with the Tigers (2010-16). His contract expires after the 2023 campaign.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.