Ellis Burks: MVP of the 3rd Annual Classic 12 All Star Game

Box Score

Ellis Burks' one-out, three-run homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning off of Pedro Astacio (Odd Daughters) cemented an 8-3 victory for the Southern Division in Monday's Classic 12 All Star Game. Astacio replaced Troy Percival (Kongs) following two bases-on-balls and was promptly greeted with a blast that went deep into the stands in left-center. It was the Skramalonian outfielder's second homer of the game and, along with the resulting five RBIs, was good enough to earn him game MVP honors.

The South broke out to an early 4-0 lead on Northern starter Kevin Brown (Incarnations). The Russell M'Ups' Eric Young and Barry Larkin opened the first inning with a homerun and double, respectively, followed by a Mike Piazza (Fielders) run-scoring single and the first of Burks' two homeruns. After two perfect innings by the Co Operators' John Smoltz, the North touched Curt Schilling (Grinders) and John Smiley (Operators) for three runs in the third on Brian Jordan's (Kongs) run-scoring double and Jose Offerman's (Duxz) two-run single.

Things remained quiet until the bottom of the seventh, when the Fielders' Brian McRae brought 49,782 hometown Coors Field fans to their feet. Pinch hitting for the pitcher, McRae singled and then stole second. On the next pitch, he broke to steal third and was able to score as catcher Jason Kendall sailed his throw into leftfield, making the score 5-3.

Five Southern Division relievers, anchored by Dennis Eckersley (Rivercrypts) in the ninth, did not allow a hit over the final 4 1/3 innings to give the South its second All Star Game victory in three years.