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The Pacific Coast League defeated the International League 3-0 at the 25th annual Triple-A All-Star game Wednesday night.
Eleven PCL All-Star pitchers held the IL's best to just five hits in front of 18,025 fans at Coca Cola Field.
Despite the loss, the three players representing the Buffalo Bisons all performed well for their home crowd.
Matt Harvey pitched two innings without allowing a hit or run.
“I felt pretty good,” Harvey said. “My mechanics felt a little rusty, but it's hard not to get up to pitch in front of 18,000 people. It was a really special night.”
Bisons first baseman Valentino Pascucci, who won Monday's home run derby, came close to hitting a home run in his first at-bat, hitting the wall on a line-drive double. The PCL pitchers then walked him three straight times.
“I heard the 'Valentino' chants start going," Pascucci said. "It was fun and I was getting into it. I guess the fans were on my side.”
The third Bisons All-Star Fernando Cabrera only pitched to one batter, but he struck out Josh Vitters with runners on first and third in the 9th inning.
The All-Star Game also featured St. Francis grad Jim Negrych, who currently plays for the Syracuse Chiefs. Negrych, who came to the plate to an impressive ovation, singled in the bottom of the 9th.
"The city's been behind me through thick and thin, and no matter what happens to my career, there's still people that follow me. Everyone's always been so supportive and open-arms to me whenever I come back here. I couldn't be more appreciative in the way they treat me."
For the PCL, top Royals prospect Wil Myers starred going 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
Outside of the on-the-field action, the All-Star game featured Tom Seaver throwing out the first pitch, a well-done introduction video of many players' highlights mixed with scenes from around the city as well as the Earl of Bud dancing on the home side's dugout.
"The fans were into the game," Pascucci said. "I wish we could (always) have it packed like that.”