Duran's homer helps American League top National League in MLB All-Star Game

Boston's Jarren Duran, the All-Star MVP, hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fifth inning and the American League beat the National League 5-3 on Tuesday night for its 10th win in the past 11 All-Star Games.

Pittsburgh rookie Paul Skenes pitched a hitless first for the NL, twice hitting 100 mph, and Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run homer in the third for a 3-0 lead.

Juan Soto hit a two-run double and scored on David Fry's single to tie the score in the third, and Duran went deep off Cincinnati's Hunter Greene.

Jarren Duran homers to make it 5 unanswered runs for the AL squad! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllStarGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AllStarGame</a> <a href="https://t.co/jRiI8d8EfE">pic.twitter.com/jRiI8d8EfE</a>

Duran is the fifth Boston player to be an All-Star MVP, the first since J.D. Drew in 2008. The others were Pedro Martinez in 1999, Roger Clemens in 1986 and Carl Yastrzemski in 1970.

"It's a surreal moment. So I'm just thankful to be here," said Duran, who was one of 39 first-time All-Stars this year.

Oakland right-hander Mason Miller got the win after throwing a 103.6 mph pitch, the fastest in the All-Star Game since tracking began in 2008. Hard-throwing Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase struck out two in the ninth for the save.

Before the game, incoming Hall of Fame electee Adrian Beltre was joined by a legendary Texas Rangers trio and fellow Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, and Chatham-Kent, Ont., native Fergie Jenkins for the ceremonial first pitch.

Beltre had the honour of toss out the first pitch to Rodriguez.

TEXAS RANGERS LEGENDS