First five pitchers make difference for AL

0 Comments | USA TODAY, July, 2005 | by Gary Graves

DETROIT -- Late-game generosity by the bullpen did little to detract from an otherwise stellar effort by American League pitchers against National League hitters in Tuesday night's All-Star Game.

Not only did the first five pitchers have their numbers in limiting them to five hits in six innings, they also had their addresses.

Atlanta Braves slugger Andruw Jones scuttled the AL's bid for its first shutout in 15 years with a two-run homer off embattled Texas Rangers left-hander Kenny Rogers in the seventh and the NL scored three more times before falling 7-5 at Comerica Park.

But for the most part it was Exhibit A in how good pitching beats good hitting.

"Maybe we were more dominant," the Boston Red Sox's Matt Clement said, "but if we played a...