National League Wins 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Dramatic Swing-Off Finish

By Oliver Wiener July 17, 2025 09:12

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game delivered an unforgettable finish Tuesday night in Atlanta as the National League edged the American League 7-6, clinching the first-ever swing-off tiebreaker in All-Star history. In a game that featured power hitting, resilience, and drama, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber illuminated the event, blasting three home runs in three swings to secure victory and earn MVP honors.

The game entered its ninth inning deadlocked at 6-6 after the American League mounted an electrifying comeback. The National League had dominated early, building a commanding 6-0 lead by the sixth inning thanks largely to home runs from New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll. Alonso’s towering three-run homer off Royals pitcher Kris Bubic electrified the crowd, showcasing the NL’s power potential.

However, the American League refused to fade quietly. Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena ignited a rally with a three-run shot of his own, trimming the deficit. Kansas City Royals’ Maikel Garcia extended the momentum with smart baserunning that led to another run. The AL didn’t stop there: as the ninth inning unfolded, Bobby Witt Jr. drove in the tying run with an RBI double, followed by a clutch infield single from Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan that knotted the score at six, forcing the unprecedented swing-off.

Rather than playing extra innings with fatigued pitching staffs, MLB took a bold step by introducing a novel tiebreaker: a mini Home Run Derby featuring three players from each league with three swings apiece. For the American League, the trio included Athletics’ designated hitter Brent Rooker, Mariners’ Randy Arozarena, and Rays’ first baseman Jonathan Aranda. The National League countered with Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers, Phillies’ Schwarber, and Mets’ Pete Alonso.

Early in the swing-off, Rooker gave the AL an edge by knocking two home runs in his three swings, putting pressure on the NL’s Kyle Stowers, who managed one home run. The turning point came with Schwarber’s historic performance. He launched a perfect 3-for-3 stretch, sending the ball out each time and pushing the National League into the final showdown. Aranda went hitless in his three swings, leaving the stage for Alonso, who was unable to surpass Schwarber’s three-homer feat. Ultimately, the NL edged the AL 4-3 in the swing-off, sealing a thrilling 7-6 All-Star Game victory.

“It was unbelievable to step up like that,” Schwarber said postgame. “I didn’t have a hit in the actual game, but to come through in the swing-off and help the National League win it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

This victory marked the National League’s second All-Star win in three years and their fifth in 28 years. Despite trailing 6-0 midway through the game, their resilience and Schwarber’s clutch power propelled them to a historic triumph.

Notably, some big-name stars such as Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani were absent from the swing-off lineup due to pre-game volunteer sign-ups and players opting out early to rest for the second half of the season. Nevertheless, the event’s new format and thrilling climax received widespread praise from fans and analysts alike, many calling it the most exciting All-Star Game finish in recent memory.

MLB’s decision to implement the swing-off as a tiebreaker brings a fresh, fan-friendly chapter to the All-Star tradition, blending the sport’s competitive spirit with its fan-adored home run derby flair. With Schwarber’s heroics etched in history, the 2025 Midsummer Classic will be talked about as a milestone for years to come a celebration of power, drama, and baseball innovation.