National League defeats American League in first MLB All-Star Game Home Run Showdown

Crucial hits from Bobby Witt Jr. and Steven Kwan in the ninth inning leveled the score at 6-6. With both teams having exhausted their pitchers, the game proceeded to its inaugural Home Run Derby to determine the victor after both sides ran out of pitchers.

The Home Run Derby at the conclusion of the 2025 All-Star Game featured three hitters from each league, with each player allotted three swings.

Brent Rooker (2), Randy Arozarena (1), and Jonathan Aranda (0) represented the American League, while Kyle Stowers (1), Kyle Schwarber (3), and Pete Alonso (N/A) took their turns for the National League.

Phillies All-Star Schwarber delivered a crucial performance for the NL, securing their victory.

Schwarber was awarded the 2025 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player title after hitting three home runs in his three swings during the Home Run Derby. He is the first non-pitcher in the history of the MLB All-Star Game to earn the MVP award without recording a hit in the actual game. This marks the second victory for the NL in the last three years, following a nine-year winning streak by the AL from 2013 to 2022.

Before delving into the highlights of this remarkable game, take a moment to view (or revisit) the extraordinary tribute to Atlanta Braves and MLB icon Hank Aaron, which honored his legendary 715th home run on July 15 at the Braves' stadium.

One moment that many might consider the highlight of the entire evening. Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Paul Skenes initiated the action for the NL, striking out his first two batters before inducing Yankees star Aaron Judge to ground out, concluding the inning.

Skenes is the first pitcher to commence the All-Star game in each of his first two seasons.

Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte initiated the scoring for the National League by hitting a two-run double in the first inning, which provided his team with an early 2-0 advantage.

This marked the first occasion this year that American League Cy Young frontrunner Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers) permitted at least two hits in the opening inning. Nevertheless, Skubal managed to strike out Manny Machado (San Diego Padres) using the first challenge implemented at the MLB level during the regular season.

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The initial call, which was originally deemed a ball, was reversed to a strike following the application of the ABS challenge system. The second inning was dominated by Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Clayton Kershaw, who achieved two outs in his brief appearance while providing amusing commentary throughout. Kershaw recently achieved the milestone of 3,000 career strikeouts just prior to the All-Star break.

New York Mets slugger Alonso launched the game's first home run

Extending the NL's lead to a commanding 5-0, this home run was Alonso's first despite participating in his fifth All-Star game. The Diamondbacks' All-Stars continued to excel, as Corbin Carroll hit a solo home run, increasing the NL's lead to 6-0.

This solo home run also represented Carroll's first in the All-Star Game during his two appearances. However, the American League refused to back down as Home Run Derby participant Rooker (Athletics) hit a pinch-hit three-run home run, reducing the deficit to three runs in the seventh inning.

This was also Rooker's first home run in the All-Star Game during his second appearance. The home runs by Rooker and Alonso marked a historic moment, as it was the first time in All-Star Game history that multiple home runs of three or more runs were hit.

In the same inning, Royals All-Star Bobby Witt Jr. grounded out to shortstop, allowing his teammate Maikel Garcia to score from third, bringing the AL's fourth run to the scoreboard and narrowing the gap to 6-4.

Then, in the top of the ninth inning, Witt came up again, hitting an RBI double that trimmed the lead to just one run (6-5) as the National League prepared to face their final pitcher.

At bat was Steven Kwan, who delivered a game-tying RBI single, propelling the 2025 All-Star Game into the inaugural Home Run Derby to determine the winner.