All-Stars in the Cities: the 1985 game

NL 6, AL 1

Metrodome, July 16, 1985

Game comes indoors and the NL bursts AL's bubble

This scene is getting old. The American League promises to do everything possible to end the National League's All-Star Game domination.

Then the American League loses. Again and again and again it has happened.

And once more Tuesday night.

This was a 6-1 victory for the Nationals, their 21st in the last 23 midseason gatherings. The most ardent AL backers in the capacity gathering of 54,960 were reduced to booing their team during the final innings.

Meanwhile, losing pitcher Jack Morris was removed after giving up five hits and one walk in 2 ⅔ innings. It was the first time an All-Star starter had been replaced during an inning since Jim Palmer had that happen in 1978.

"I deserved to be taken out," Morris said.

There was talk that the AL would have an advantage because its players would be more used to the quirks of the Metrodome.

It didn't work that way. Both of the ground-rule doubles were by the Nationals, and two other doubles, third-inning fly balls by Tom Herr and Dale Murphy, probably reached extra-base status because of the hops they took on the spongy artificial turf.

"A couple of their base- runners advanced into scoring position," Morris said, "because of the condition of the stadium."

MVP: LaMarr Hoyt, pitcher, San Diego Padres