Moreland and Craig Kimbrel. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- It was a long-time coming--32 years old and nine MLB seasons--but Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland made his All-Star debut last night, and made the most of it.
He had two hits in three at-bats, including a strikeout, after entering the game off the bench. Moreland admitted he didn't expect to play so much.
"Obviously, going into extras, another at-bat, which I'll take," he said. "It was fun to get out there and play a little bit and be a part of it."
Sox teammate Craig Kimbrel didn't pitch. It was his regular rest day, but the seven-time All-Star thoroughly enjoyed watching Moreland take part in his first.
"Great to see him get two knocks and grind out some at-bats and do what he does," Kimbrel said. "I'm happy for him, I know he's happy, his family's happy, I'm glad I got to share this with him."
Chris Sale, Mookie Betts, and J.D. Martinez all started for the American League, though Betts admitted the roster could've had even more Boston players.
"It's just the five that made it here, but we got a bunch of others that are deserving to be here, and that get the job done," Betts said.
The baseball-leading Sox will start a six-game trip in Detroit Friday.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports