Pitching, speed and a little bit of power – the same formula that worked for the National League for so long – all played their part in giving the NL a 5-1 win over the American League in Major League Baseball's All-Star game Tuesday. Prince Fielder's three-run homer helped the NL to its first consecutive wins in baseball's showpiece game since 1996, and this time it carries more than bragging rights; it will give the eventual NL champion homefield advantage in four of the potential seven World Series games. Fielder won the MVP award after becoming the first Brewers player to homer in an All-Star game. Boston's Adrian Gonzalez put the AL ahead in the top of the fourth inning with a homer off Philadelphia's Cliff Lee. The AL almost went further ahead in the same inning, but a great throw by Hunter Pence to catcher Brian McCann got Jose Bautista at that plate. In the bottom of the inning, Fielder became the first Brewers player to ever homer in an All-Star game, going long off C.J. Wilson to score Carlos Beltran and Matt Kemp, putting the NL ahead 3-1. It was 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth when Andre Ethier drove in Rickie Weeks, who had stolen second base. San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval got a ground-rule double in the seventh as his shot bounced into the bullpen, scoring Pence to make it 5-1. The AL got men on second and third in the top of the ninth but closer Brian Wilson got Paul Konerko to ground out to end the game. “It was great to have the pitching set up the way it was,” NL manager Bruce Bochy said. “It's hard to beat great pitching and a three-run homer.” With several big names as no-shows at Chase Field, the AL lost more than the game. Boston right-hander Josh Beckett warmed up, then bowed out with a sore knee. Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera left after hurting a muscle in his side while swinging. “We are not going to use not having Josh as an excuse,” AL manager Ron Washington said. “The bottom line is the National League pitching was outstanding. We ended up giving up one big inning and they didn't give up any.” Even before they were hurt, many stars were missing. Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez and many other aces pitched for their club teams on Sunday, so were ineligible, Chipper Jones and Alex Rodriguez were among those on the disabled list and Derek Jeter wanted a break. In all, 16 of 84 All
