IL extends recent All-Star dominance

Chiefs’ Lambin keys sixth-inning rally, earns Top Star honors
By Josh Jackson / Special to MLB.com

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — It may have looked like a sleeper in the early going Wednesday, but the International League ended up continuing its recent dominance at the Triple-A All-Star Game.

Held hitless until the fifth inning, the IL got an RBI double from Chase Lambin and a run-scoring single from Elliot Johnson in the sixth to edge the Pacific Coast League, 2-1, before a sellout crowd of 10,000 at Coca-Cola Park.

Hometown hero Andy Tracy of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs broke up the no-hitter with a leadoff single in the fifth against Brandon Dickson of the Memphis Redbirds. The IL failed to capitalize but broke through an inning later.

Chris Valaika of the Louisville Bats started the sixth with a double to left field and Lambin doubled him home. Johnson, who entered as a defensive replacement in the top of the inning, broke the 1-1 deadlock with a single to left.

Rochester Red Wings right-hander Anthony Slama got the win after pitching a scoreless sixth and Jonathan Albaladejo of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save. Albaladejo shares the Minor League lead with 29 regular-season saves.

Iowa Cubs infielder Darwin Barney singled home Matt Miller of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in the second with the PCL’s lone run.

Starter Thomas Diamond of the Cubs struck out two and walked two over two hitless innings and was named the PCL’s Top Star.

Josh Banks of the Round Round Express took the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in one inning.

Josh Jackson is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.