Arizona Diamondback ace Zac Gallen, a Bishop Eustace grad, makes first All-Star appearance
Arizona Diamondbacks right hander Zac Gallen, a 2013 graduate of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken Township, has had a number of huge moments in his baseball career.
None have matched the feeling he had stepping on the pitcher’s mound Tuesday night in Seattle as the National League’s starting pitcher in his first All-Star Game.
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Gallen was informed last week that he would start the game, but kept it under wraps, even from family.
"For it to come to fruition is everything and more," he said before the game.
Gallen pitched one inning, allowing only a single to Randy Arozarena, who was later caught stealing second. The Somerdale native also struck out Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani, during the National League's 3-2 victory.
Gallen, who is coming off a season where he finished fifth in Cy Young voting after going 12-4 with a 2.54 ERA and 192 strikeouts, is 11-3 this season with a 3.04 ERA and 125 strikeouts.
Zac Gallen defies doubters: Bishop Eustace grad blossoming into one of baseball's best pitchers
“Zac’s numbers just came off the page for us," NL manager Rob Thomson said.
The 27-year-old became just the third D-backs hurler to start a Midsummer Classic, joining Hall of Famer Randy Johnson (2000-01) and Curt Schilling (2002).
Gallen was a star at Bishop Eustace and after graduating he attended the University of North Carolina where he pitcher for three season before the St. Louis Cardinals drafted him in 2016. After two trades, he’s found a home in Arizona where he’s earned ace status.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen has clean inning in All-Star Game
