Sitting among the best players in MLB, from all over the world, center fielder Ender Inciarte beamed. He was a first-time All-Star at 26-years old and loving every second of it.
"Awesome," Inciarte said before playing for the NL All-Stars vs. the AL. "This is a great experience. It means a lot to me. It’s a great honor to see my name along all the superstars you play against all the time. I am representing my country, my team."
That would be Venezuela and the Braves. His country was well-represented--he was one of five All-Stars from Venezuela. His team was not: Inciarte was the lone Braves All-Star, stolen from the Diamondbacks in a trade following the 2015 season.
There were no big moments for Inciarte in the game, won 2-1 by the AL in 10 innings. He entered as a defensive substitute in the top of the sixth inning but didn't get a chance to show off his superlative defense and couldn't deliver in two chances for big hits.
Inciarte led off the top of the eight inning with the score tied 1-1. With the count 1-1 against right-hander Chris Devenski (Astros), Inciarte lined out to first baseman Yonder Alonso (Athletics).
After Robinson Cano (Mariners) put the AL ahead w2-1 with a homer in the top of the 10th, Inciarte faced left-hander Andrew Miller with one out in the bottom of the inning. He grounded out.
At least Inciarte got in the game. Right-hander Shelby Miller, the only Braves All-Star in 2015, never left the bullpen. Coincidentally, Miller was part of the trade that brought Inciarte to the Braves.
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