The Zo Zone

I think that's like 50-straight victories for the American League in the All-Star Game.

Or is it 10?

Actually, it's a 10-year unbeaten streak because there's that silly tie from 2002 in Milwaukee. The NL has not won an All-Star Game since 1996 at Veterans Stadium. But Aaron Rowand almost snapped the streak in the bottom of the ninth inning in last night's 5-4 loss to the AL at AT&T Park. Rowand flied out to right field with the bases loaded and two outs to end the game. He said he hit the 0-1 fastball from Francisco Rodriguez on the sweet spot, but got a hair underneath it.

Rowand said he felt no jitters as he walked to the plate. He has been in big situations before, although this seemed a little bigger than a late-inning at-bat against the Reds or Pirates in a game in May or June.

But he said he did not think about the perfect script in his head beforehand.

"Afterward I would have thought about it," he said.

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The tribute to Willie Mays before the game was one of the cooler things I've seen lately.

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Ken Griffey Jr. saved Cole Hamels a run in the fourth inning when he threw out Alex Rodriguez at home plate.

Hamels, who struck out Griffey in the first inning of his big-league debut last season, came away impressed.

"I know Shane (Victorino) could have done the same thing, too," said Hamels, who allowed two hits in a scoreless inning. "But (Griffey) was one of my heroes growing up so I'm glad he saved me in the All-Star Game."

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Chase Utley went 0 for 2, but stayed in uniform until the end. Some starters shower and change before the end of the game, so they can either catch a flight or just leave.

Why stay, Chase?

"Support your teammates," Utley said. "We made a good run. Bases loaded. Two outs. I wanted to stick around, and especially support Aaron."

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Alfonso Soriano hung next to Hamels on the railing in the NL dugout after he hit a two-run homer to right field in the bottom of the ninth. The Phillies pursued Soriano in the off-season, but the Chicago Cubs blew their offer out of the water.

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The All-Star Game won't be in Philadelphia in the near future. It's at Yankee Stadium in 2008 and Busch Stadium in 2009. There is a report the Los Angeles Angels are a candidate for 2010, with the New York Mets a candidate for 2011.

The Phillies last hosted an All-Star Game in 1996 at Veterans Stadium. I know everybody will say, "But the Pirates hosted last year and hosted at Three Rivers in 1994." I know this, but baseball basically did a favor for the Pirates. The Phillies don't need any favors because they have good attendance and are making money.

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Phillies fans must have enjoyed seeing Victor Martinez hit a two-run home run to left field in the top of the eighth inning off Billy Wagner. Or has everybody moved past that?

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Bud Selig has made no decision on seeing Barry Bonds break Hank Aaron's record.

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Musical acts I had the chance to see this week: Counting Crows, who performed before the Home Run Derby; Macy Gray, who performed during the All-Star Gala at Pier 30/32; Chris Isaak, who sang the National Anthem; and Paula Cole, who sang God Bless America.

It's tough, but I'm going to rank them from best to worst in terms of their performances: 1) Counting Crows did a fine job singing hits "Mr. Jones" and "Accidentally in Love." 2) Gray, but only by default. 3) Cole, who would have been first or second had her keyboard player not taken 15 minutes to set up, resulting in boos from a crowd that cheers Bonds with fervor. 4) Isaak, whose version of the anthem wouldn't have placed in the top five at the barbershop quarter convention last weekend in Denver.

Not in attendance during the all-star week festivities: Gin Blossoms, Hootie & The Blowfish, Blues Traveler, Live and Lisa Loeb, which really would have made me feel like I had taken a time machine back to the 1990s.

Somebody break out the flannel.