[1][2][3] The game featured memorable defensive play by starting right fielder Dave Parker, as he had two assists on putouts: one at third base in the seventh inning and another at home plate to end the eighth.

In his only All-Star appearance, Mazzilli tied the game in the eighth inning with a pinch hit home run off of Jim Kern of the Texas Rangers, and then put the National League ahead for good in the ninth, drawing a bases-loaded walk against Ron Guidry of the New York Yankees.

American League starter Nolan Ryan began the game in sizzling fashion, striking out Davey Lopes and Dave Parker, but walked Steve Garvey.

George Brett walked with one out, Don Baylor doubled him in, and Fred Lynn put the AL up 3–2 with a two-out, two-run homer off Steve Carlton.

In the bottom of the seventh, Jim Rice led off and blooped a double to right with a high bounce off the artificial turf, but was thrown out by Parker as he tried to stretch it into a triple.

Batting for Gary Matthews, Lee Mazzilli tied the score at six in the top of the eighth with an opposite-field homer off Jim Kern, the first pinch-hit home run in MLB All-Star game history.

Fielding the line drive on the first bounce, he fired a perfect strike on the fly to Carter, who blocked Downing's right hand from reaching the plate.