Former Lee-Huntsville and Wallace State standout Craig Kimbrel didn’t get on to the National League roster for Tuesday night’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game until Sunday, when the Philadelphia Phillies reliever was named as a replacement for Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams.

But with the National League holding a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Tuesday night, NL manager Rob Thomson of the Phillies turned to Kimbrel to close out the win, just as he has throughout the regular season.

Kimbrel’s scoreless frame gave him an All-Star Game save to go with his pitching win in the 2017 All-Star Game. The AL’s victory that season was part of a nine-game winning streak in the All-Star Game that Kimbrel helped end on Tuesday night. Kimbrel had struck out the two batters he faced out of the NL bullpen in the league’s previous All-Star Game victory in 2012.

On Tuesday night, Kimbrel opened the final frame by getting Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco to fly out to right and striking out Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Kimbrel issued back-to-back walks to Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker and Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez before ending the game with a strikeout of Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez.

“That was a lot of fun,” Kimbrel said. “I hate I walked two guys. But getting to face Rodriguez there and seeing this crowd get up and get excited, I stood on the back of the mound and took a moment and took it in. It was pretty cool to see, especially with the home crowd. I’m just glad I was able to get the job done. It’s been a while since the National League has got a win, so it feels pretty good.”

Kimbrel has been selected for nine All-Star games and has pitched in seven. In six innings, Kimbrel has struck out 11 while yielding one run on four hits and five walks.

Earlier this season, Kimbrel became the eighth player in MLB history to record 400 career saves.

“This year’s been something else,” Kimbrel said. “The milestones that I’ve been able to get close to and surpass. The support I’ve had from my teammates. They’ve all been so excited for me, rooting me on all year long. I got to pinch myself. It seems like it’s one thing after another this year, and, hopefully, I can just keep on going.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.