Well, here I am at Metro Bank Park for the All-Star Game, and here are the lineups, fresh from press row.

EASTERN DIVISION

Darin Mastroianni - LF
Ben Revere - CF
Austin Romine - C
Brandon Laird - 3B
Kirk Nieuwenhuis - RF
Eric Thames - DH
Matt Rizzotti -1B
Ray Chang - SS
Nate Spears - 2B
Kyle Drabek - P

WESTERN DIVISION

Andy Dirks - CF
Josh Harrison - 2B
Hector Gimenez - C
Matt Hague - 1B
John Drennen - LF
Tyler Henson - RF
Thomas Neal - DH
Lonnie Chisenhall - 3B
Danny Espinosa - SS
Tom Milone - P

Just spoke with D.J. Mitchell, Austin Romine, Brandon Laird and Kyle Drabek during the pre-game media session. Drabek says he is throwing one inning or 20 pitches.

The most interesting tidbit to come out of those sessions was saying he believes second baseman David Adams, out of action with a high ankle sprain since May 22, could return within a week or so. That, plus the addition of Adam Warren, should be big lifts for the Thunder in the second half.

So, the story on Laird's injury and how it came to be that he is starting today is this: He has one of those foot/ankle pads that you so often see guys like Derek Jeter wearing to protect themselves from foul balls. He just wasn't wearing it that day.

Naturally, he hit one off the ankle and was feeling it pretty hard. Then, as time passed, the pain gradually wore off. X-rays were negative, and everything was OK once again.

The problem, however, came when the Yankees told him he was out of both the HR derby and the All-Star Game. Because he had family out to watch the proceedings, this was problematic. He was able to talk his way back into the game (obviously) but remains a no-go for the derby.

More to come later.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Austin Romine is pro rally monkeys.

6:08: Pirates catching prospect Hector Gimenez has won the Home Run Derby. He hit nine in the second round to edge the Senators' Chris Marrero. Spectacular show by both men.

7:52: Nate Spears' single and Ben Revere's sac fly have driven home two runs here. 2-0 Eastern Division.

Here's Brandon Laird's first at-bat



8:19: Altoona first baseman Matt Hague showing some SERIOUS ups while spearing Ben Revere's liner that should have been a two-run double (at least).





9:00: Phillies pitcher Drew Naylor got messed up by the Western Division. Chase d'Arnaud took him out to left for a grand slam. Then Andy Dirks took him very, very deep to right for a solo bomb. Impressive power.