Brewers closer Francisco Rodriguez struggles in All Star Game appearance

In the 7th inning of the 2015 All Star Game, National League manager Bruce Bochy called on Brewers reliever Francisco Rodriguez to pitch. Rodriguez had been the only Brewer named to the All Star team before Ryan Braun joined him as the replacement for Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday.

As it happens, Rodriguez didn't have his best inning, allowing two runs on a walk, a double. and a sacrifice fly. That allowed the American League to increase their lead from 3-2 to 5-2.

The first batter of the inning, Mike Trout, took a leadoff walk on six pitches, five of which were fastballs. Trout was then removed from the game in favor of Brock Holt (\O/), who stole second base with Manny Machado at the plate. Machado absolutely crushed a fastball right down the center of the plate foul before driving a double off the right field wall to bring Holt around to score.

A Mark Teixeira ground-out allowed Machado to move to third base with one out. Old friend Prince Fielder then stepped to the plate and hit the first pitch he saw into the left-center field gap only to see it run down by A.J. Pollock. That was good enough for Machado to tag up for the second run of the inning, however.

J.D. Martinez was the last player Rodriguez saw as the Brewers' closer got the Tigers' outfielder to ground out to end the inning.

Rodriguez is certainly one of the Brewers that is definitely on the trade block over the next couple of weeks and while one inning in an exhibition game isn't going to change his trade value, it certainly isn't ideal. Rodriguez pitching a clean inning against an All Star lineup would have been nice, but it's the 2015 Brewers season and we don't get nice things. If we did, it would be followed up by Rodriguez needing Tommy John surgery or something.

Ryan Braun has yet to enter the All Star Game as the battle for home field advantage in the World Series continues.