A reunion of former A’s teammates took place midway through Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Coors Field in Denver won by the American League, 5-2, for its eighth straight Midsummer Classic victory.

When Matt Olson took the field for his first taste of All-Star action by replacing Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base to begin the bottom of the fifth inning, he was greeted by another first-time All-Star with a familiar face over at second base. It was Toronto's Marcus Semien, Olson’s good friend and teammate in Oakland from 2017-2020.

Together, the infield duo combined on a pair of 4-3 putouts during the fifth, bringing back memories of the superb defensive work the two displayed as stars on A’s clubs that reached the postseason in each of the last three years.

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“It’s cool that we were able to all do this,” Olson said. “Especially for it to be our first one together. It’s really special.”

In his first at-bat in the seventh, Olson worked a 2-2 count against Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta before swinging through a high fastball to end the inning.

Though he went hitless in two at-bats on Tuesday, also striking out against Zack Wheeler in the ninth, Olson showed off plenty of his hitting skills the night before in Monday's Home Run Derby. Ultimately edged out by Baltimore’s Trey Mancini, the A’s first baseman gained some national recognition by slugging 23 bombs in the first round of competition.

“It was just a really fun experience,” Olson said. “The Derby was something I had butterflies [about] going into, but I loosened up as it went on and I had a blast with it, even just in that one round. It was cool to be here with different guys and see how they act and go about their stuff.”

Chris Bassitt entered the game for his first career All-Star appearance to begin the bottom of the sixth and helped preserve the AL's lead in the game -- though it wasn't easy. The right-hander allowed one unearned run that was aided by an error in center field by Baltimore's Cedric Mullins, allowing Manny Machado to take an extra base on a single. Later in the inning, Machado scored from third on passed ball that got by Rays catcher Mike Zunino.

With the NL threatening for more with two outs and two runners on, Bassitt reached back on what was his 24th pitch of the inning and fired a 92.7-mph fastball that was swung through by the Cubs' Kris Bryant to end the sixth and cap Bassitt's appearance in the game.

“That was sweet,” Olson said. “I’m glad that Bass got to be here. He deserved to be here.”