"Consider Jonathan Broxton redeemed.

The Dodgers closer had the All-Star Game on his broad shoulders for the National League, and he came through.

Broxton, who didn't come through for the Dodgers against Philadelphia in the postseason last, got word in the bullpen that if the NL had the lead, he'd be the closer.

After allowing Boston slugger David Ortiz to single on his first pitch, Broxton earned the save and led the National League to a 3-1 victory at Angel Stadium.

"There's a lot of great pitching, and for (NL manager Charlie Manuel) to pick me at the end was a dream come true," Broxton said.

Broxton said he didn't feel like it was redemption for the postseason, but his confidence surely soared.

"It was fun," Broxton said. "If you can pitch here and get guys out you know you can pitch anywhere."

If the NL had lost, Dodgers reliever Hong-Chih Kuo would've shouldered the burden.

Kuo, a late injury replacement, fielded a swinging bunt by AL catcher Joe Mauer in the fifth inning and air-mailed it over first base.

The error was crucial in the scoreless game, putting runners at second and third. Robinson Cano responded with a sacrifice fly to score Evan Longoria and the American League had a 1-0 lead.

"It could have (meant the loss), but we have a great pitching staff and we came through at the right time," Broxton said."