MIAMI -- It proved to be an extremely eventful Tuesday night for Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano in the American League's 2-1 victory in 10 innings over the National League in the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.
The highlight was Cano's game-winning homer in the top of the 10th inning that earned him Most Valuable Player honors, but the Mariners duo was in the limelight all night.
:: Complete All-Star Game coverage ::
At the start of the festivities, Cruz and Cano -- who both hail from the Dominican Republic -- caught ceremonial first pitches from countrymen Pedro Martinez and Juan Marichal, respectively, who were part of a group of eight Latin American-born Hall of Famers honored by Major League Baseball. Marlins Park is located in the predominantly Cuban neighborhood of Little Havana.
"It means a lot," Cano said. "Those guys are really, I want to say, started this game for the Latin American players. Guys that really made this game so fun and exciting, made fans come and watch, and opened the doors for us. That's something that I see Pedro Martinez, Juan Marichal, [Orlando] Cepeda, the best second baseman to ever play this game, Roberto Alomar, Rod Carew. It's something -- to catch that first pitch and say hello to them and being in that picture, I just can't wait to get to social media and get that picture, and put it on a frame in my home."
• Cano hits decisive HR, named All-Star MVP
To cap the night off, Cano hit the decisive homer off Cubs closer Wade Davis to open the 10th. The eight-time All-Star knocked the knuckle curve 395 feet, as projected by Statcast™, with an exit velocity of 106 mph and a 21-degree launch angle, to right field. He became the third Mariner to win All-Star MVP honors, joining Ken Griffey Jr. (1992) and Ichiro Suzuki (2007).
Cano previously struck out swinging in a pinch-hit at-bat against Padres reliever Brad Hand in the seventh.
"You're not surprised," Cruz said. "Robby finds a way to get it done in big situations. Nothing new. It's just the way it is."
• Cruz obtains an in-game photo with umpire Joe West
In the sixth inning, Cruz made a buzz-worthy entrance by requesting a photo with home-plate umpire Joe West before flying out to center. Catcher Yadier Molina snapped the photo.
Cruz said he tried to pull a similar stunt off in 2013, but he got out in his first at-bat and forgot the phone on the bench his second time around.
"I thought about it before the game and told everybody I was going to take a picture with Joe West my first at-bat," said Cruz, who has made five All-Star Games. "It was supposed to be a selfie, but I saw Yadi say batting gloves would make it [difficult]."
Cano and Cruz also met up with a familiar face during batting practice: Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, who also played for the Dominican Team at this year's World Baseball Classic.
"It's great to see a brother like him," Cano said. "The way he comes and supports us, that's something that means a lot to us. Like I said, it's good to see him when he's supposed to be home with his family resting, and he's here. I would've liked to have seen him here, but maybe next year."