Orioles southpaw Brian Matusz pitched shutout ball for seven innings at Fenway Park this afternoon, leading the Baltimore Orioles to a rare win in Boston, beating the Red Sox, 6-1. He held the Red Sox to two hits — one each in the third and fourth innings — while walking three and striking out seven in earning his first win since April 18th. He had lost his last nine decisions.

Earlier I went over the American League All Star Game roster, so let’s now cover the National League. Here is the roster for the National League, which is led by Philadelphia Phillies’ skipper Charlie Manuel.

Starters

C: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

1B: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

2B: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies – Injured, will not play

SS: Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins

3B: David Wright, New York Mets

OF: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

The All-Star game rosters were announced today and there are a couple of snubs like there are every year.

But one stands out to me not just because I'm a Mariners fan but because statistically he deserves to be part of the All-Star game.

Felix Hernandez was robbed of a spot on the American League All-Star roster, because of his 6-5 record.

But that record is skewed. Hernandez plays for one of the worst offensive major league teams in the MLB and gets absolutely no run support at all.

Domonic Brown is, in a way, an insurance policy for the Phillies if they are unable to resign Jayson Werth this winter.  It’s pretty safe to say that the 22-year-old is quite the safety net.

Yes, I had this exact reaction when I saw the All-Star rosters when they were released on Sunday and I am sure I am not the only person who had the same reaction I did.

I understand that NL manager Charlie Manuel wants versatility in case of injury or if he runs out of players, which is impossible, but seriously why Omar Infante?

There are many players that are more deserving than Infante.

Josh Willingham, Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth, Troy Glaus, Joey Votto, Aubrey Huff, and Dan Uggla are just some people who deserve Infante's spot.

Unless you're new to Major League Baseball, you know the American League has been unbeatable against the National League in the All-Star Game for the last 13 years.

Excluding the 2002 contest that ended in a tie and featured the infamous Bud Selig shrug, the Junior Circuit has won every game since being shutout in 1996.

Obviously, a 12-game winning streak that spans over a decade has a litany of explanations. For example, the AL has been quite a bit stronger at times during the run and Lady Luck has played her role as she always does on the diamond.

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More  and The Yankees Daily-Press

Through 82 team games (324 at-bats) this season, Reds’ second baseman Brandon Phillips is tied with Boston’s Kevin Youkilis for the major league lead in runs, with 62.

Phillips also has 10 homers and 10 steals at the mid-way point, putting him on pace for his fourth consecutive 20/20 season.

Many Yankees fans have been hoping that Cliff Lee would end up in New York this season via trade with the Seattle Mariners.

But it will never happen.

The Yankees seem content with the current starting rotation: Javier Vasquez has turned around and A.J. Burnett seems to be coming back to his usual form as well after a miserable June.

Believe it or not, the Yankees have a budget. Which was one of the reasons they didn't make the best offer to Johnny Damon.

If absence makes the heart grow fonder, it is patience that gives a baseball team confidence.