By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — If fans are looking for someone to blame for the AL losing the first All-Star game since 2003, they can count out Alex Rodriguez.
The Yankees third baseman didn’t even get to play.
“It’s not my first [All-Star game],” Rodriguez told reporters afterwards, insisting he wasn’t disappointed. “I’m looking forward to a great second half.”
The American League led 1-0 thanks to a Robinson Cano sacrifice fly in the fifth until the seventh inning when Braves catcher Brian McGinn put up a three-run double.
The National League won the game 3-1, giving them the home team advantage during the World Series.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who managed the all-star team, said he had planned on putting his star in the game — but it just didn’t work out.
“If [David] Ortiz and Beltre got on, Al was going to pinch-run for Ortiz and [Ty] Wiggington was going to pinch-run for Beltre,” Girardi told the New York Post.
Rodriguez and the rest of the Yankees playing in the All-Star game wore black armbands to honor George Steinbrenner, who died hours before the first pitch.
While Rodriguez didn't see any playing time, Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes made his All-Star debut — which didn't go according to plan either. He allowed two singles and retired one batter before being pulled.
