Dodgers Justin Wrobleski makes history in All-Star Game, adds to underdog story

PHILADELPHIA –– Earlier this season, it was Hall of Fame pitcher and current TBS broadcaster Pedro Martínez who gave Justin Wrobleski the nickname “The Shark.”On Tuesday night, Wrobleski epitomized the moniker by doing something no one had accomplished since Martínez himself more than a quarter-century earlier.In a two-inning relief appearance in Major League Baseball’s 96th All-Star Game, Wrobleski turned in one of the best individual showings in the National League’s eventual 4-0 loss at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.He struck out the side in the top of the seventh, punctuating a dominant 12-pitch inning by blowing a 97-mph fastball past Rays slugger Yandy Díaz.Then, after returning to the mound in the eighth, Wrobleski bounced back from a solo home run to Miguel Vargas — his former minor league teammate in the Dodgers farm system — by registering two more punchouts to make some Midsummer Classic history.Not since Martínez in 1999 had a pitcher struck out five batters in an All-Star Game (the all-time record is six).Among Dodgers pitchers in the event’s history, Wrobleski tied Fernando Valenzuela (1986) and Don Drysdale (1959) for the most in franchise history.When informed of his feat postgame, Wrobleski flashed a smile and took a second to let it register.“Feels pretty cool,” he said.But then, before indulging any further in his performance, he cracked a self-deprecating chuckle to point out its one flaw.“Except for [that] I gave up a home run,” he said.

“That’s what’s on my mind right now.”Indeed, the homer was memorable, with Vargas going down to get a low slider and blasting it to the second deck in left field for an insurance-adding solo shot.“I’m super happy for him, and he’s having an awesome year,” Wrobleski said of his former teammate.“That was cool to see.

It just sucks that he hit it off of me.”Still, Wrobleski’s outing will go down as another highlight moment in his own breakout season, as wel...