All Star Game Co-MVPs: Ray Lankford (L) & Rondell White (R)

Box Score

ATLANTA -- In a game otherwise marked by superb pitching, two homeruns proved to be the deciding blows as the Northern Division defeated the Southern Division 4-3 in this season's Classic 12 All Star Game in front of 50,528 at Turner Field. The victory by the North evens the four year old series at two games apiece.

Starting pitchers Tom Glavine (Kongs) and Kevin Brown (M'Ups) dominated the first two innings before an RBI single off the bat of Ellis Burks (Davehawks) gave the North the early lead against Denny Neagle (Grinders). Southern pitchers Pedro Martinez (Skramalonians), Darryl Kile (Operators), Billy Wagner (Barbarians) and Trevor Hoffman (Operators) allowed the South to pull ahead by striking out eight and shutting down the North on one hit over the next four innings. Barry Bonds' (Grinders) double scored Bobby Bonilla (Barbarians) to tie the game in the sixth and Bonilla came up with a two-run double in the seventh to give the South a 3-1 lead.

Fortunes for the North turned in the bottom of the ninth when Ray Lankford (Odd Daughters) ripped a two-run homer off of Troy Percival to tie the game at three runs apiece. With nobody left on the bench to back them up, relievers Robb Nen (Kongs) and Jeff Shaw (Tards) pitched two innings each to hold the South at bay until the deciding blow was delivered in the bottom of the eleventh. Rondell White (Tards) led off the inning and deposited the first pitch delivered by Curt Schilling (M'Ups) over the wall in straightaway centerfield to lift the North to its dramatic victory. For their efforts, Lankford and White were named Co-Most Valuable Player.