Taylor notches base hit, Giolito a blown save but U.S. Futures win 3-2

Team USA defeated Team World 3-2 on Rangers prospect Joey Gallo's two-run homer in the All-Star Futures Game from Target Field in Minneapolis on Sunday.

Double-A Harrisburg center fielder Michael Taylor went 1-for-4 with a single and two strikeouts.

Low Single-A Hagerstown right-hander Lucas Giolito surrendered a two-run shot to Puerto Rican shortstop Javier Baez, a top Cubs prospect, that gave the World team a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth.

But Gallo then connected on a dramatic two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth and the U.S. team survived 3-2.

Giolito was credited with two-thirds of an inning, allowing two runs on two hits with one strikeout and no walks. He threw 13 pitches, eight for strikes. Giolito was charged with a blown save.

On Twitter, Josh Norris, Baseball America's social media editor, on Giolito's outing:

Lucas Giolito: 13 pitches, 8 strikes, FB up to 97. Allowed HR to Baez. Squared up twice. Three swings/misses. #FuturesGame #Nationals

-- Josh Norris (@jnorris427) July 13, 2014

Double-A Harrisburg batting coach Mark Harris was the hitting coach for Team USA and said Taylor, one of the top prospects in the Nationals system, will gain tremendously from just being able to be a part of the event.

"I think it's going to be invaluable," Harris said. "I think just the idea of the atmosphere, the big league clubhouse, the hustle and the bustle of it, the media being around. Going out, I guess there was close to 30,000 people there, playing in that atmosphere, facing the type of pitching that he did. He was fortunate to be able to participate."

Harris said it was also a good experience for Giolito - not only learning from his mistakes, but also seeing how his 97 mph stuff plays against top prospects.

"I think it's the same for Lucas," Harris said. "He's pitching against guys that are Double-A, Triple-A, High-A guys with experience. He left a couple of balls up and those guys don't miss those pitches."