Lee works one inning for NL in All-Star Game
Brown has 'unbelievable' experience in Midsummer Classic in NY
NEW YORK -- The Phillies' All-Star representatives, left-hander Cliff Lee and outfielder Domonic Brown, may not have done anything headline-grabbing in the National League's 3-0 loss Tuesday night at Citi Field.
Brown, who struck out on three pitches in his only at-bat, said he still he enjoyed his first Midsummer Classic.
"It was unbelievable to be out there with all those great All-Stars," Brown said. "It was a lot of fun. A lot of fun. I can't believe it's already over."
Brown was on deck when Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez made the final out of the game. Had Alvarez reached, Brown would have come to the plate representing the tying run.
"I was hoping Pedro would hit one and I'd come up in a special situation," Brown said. "Maybe next year. I just have to keep working hard."
Lee was not in the clubhouse after the game. He gave up a run on two hits in the top of the fifth.
Both Phillies players were booed by New York fans during pregame introductions, particularly Lee. Mets rooters booed because he plays for a division rival, and Yankees supporters because he spurned the Bombers to sign with the Phils as a free agent. Lee remained poker-faced, but Brown thought it was funny.
"I saw him," Brown said. "That's Cliff. I started laughing right away."
Lee became the NL's fourth pitcher of the night when he came in to pitch the top of the fifth with his team down, 1-0. He followed starter Matt Harvey of the Mets, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers and Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks.
The first batter he faced, Orioles outfielder Adam Jones, lined a double into the left-field corner. Lee then induced three straight grounders, but the American League still managed to push across a run.
It started when Twins catcher Joe Mauer's grounder glanced off the glove of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for an infield single. Jones, who had held at second, advanced when the ball dribbled away into shallow left field.
Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy grounded into a force play, beating the relay throw to first, and Jones scored easily on the play. Finally, Angels outfielder Mike Trout grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Lee, making his fourth All-Star appearance, threw 19 pitches, 13 of them strikes.
Brown entered the game in left field in the top of the sixth.
Brown's first at-bat came in the bottom of the seventh with one out and a runner on first. David Wright had singled against right-hander Greg Holland. AL manager Jim Leyland not only brought in left-hander Brett Cecil to face Brown, but put on an extreme shift, with three infielders on the right side of the infield and third baseman Manny Machado just a few feet to the other side of second base.
Brown took the first two pitches for called strikes and then struck out swinging on a 93-mph sinker.
But that didn't detract from his experience.
"Words can't describe it," Brown said. "I had some jitters. But I felt good. He's a tough pitcher against lefties. It motivates me for next year. Keep working hard."
Lee's next start will be right back at Citi Field on Sunday, when he'll face Harvey.