MLB action, and the American League secured a 4-3 victory over the National League on Tuesday. That result means the AL have now won seven straight All-star games.

US President Barack Obama throws out the first pitch of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 14, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Continuing a presidential tradition linked to the American pastime that dates back nearly a century, Obama tossed the ball 60.5 feet into the glove of Cardinals star Albert Pujols, who leaned forward slightly to make the grab.[Tim Sloan/AFP]

US President Barack Obama threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Turning to the match proper, the AL broke on top 2-0 in the first inning against Tim Lincecum. That came with the help of an error by Albert Pujols, who allowed Mark Teixeira's one-out bouncer with two on to bounce away.

Carl Crawford entered with a pinch single in the fifth inning. He jumped at the 8-foot left-field wall to snare Brad Hawpe's leadoff drive in the seventh off Jonathan Papelbon. Curtis Granderson sparked the offense with a one-out triple in the eighth off the bottom of the left-field wall.

Heath Bell intentionally walked Victor Martinez, and Adam Jones followed with a fly to deep right to put the American League up 4-3. With four straight one-run victories, the AL matched the All-Star record for consecutive one-run games.

(CCTV July 17, 2009)