2012 MLB All-Star Game: The National League Had It All The Way

The National League dominated the 2012 All-Star Game, winning 8-0 to ensure it's largest margin of victory in the history of the Midsummer Classic.

The senior circuit was able to score five times in the first inning off of reigning American League Cy Young and MVP Justin Verlander, who looked less than average on Tuesday night.

In that first frame, Pablo Sandoval cleared the bases with a three-run triple. Incredibly, that's the first time in All-Star game history that someone has hit a triple with the bases loaded.

Much was made of Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants getting the start over New York Mets star R.A. Dickey, but it proved to be a non-factor in the game. Both pitched splendidly for manager Tony La Russa, who goes out a winner once again.

Melky Cabrera was able to take home the hardware as the MVP, and it was well deserved. Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in the win.

On the local side of things, Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz went 1-for-2 with a single.

However, for the third year in a row it's the National League that will have home-field advantage in the World Series this October.

For more on the 2012 All-Star Game, please be sure to check out our blog Over The Monster and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: National League Wins 8-0, David Ortiz Goes 1-For-2

The National League stomped the American League, 8-0, during the 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City on Tuesday night. At least David Ortiz represented the Boston Red Sox well, going 1-for-2 at the plate with a fifth-inning single.

Ortiz' single set up the AL's best chance to get on the board on the night. He hit to left center off Clayton Kershaw with one out in the inning. On the next at-bat he advance to second off a Mike Napoli single. Both players were put in scoring position on a Curtis Granderson ground out. Kershaw then walked Asdrubal Cabrera to load the bases.

Ian Kinsler flied out in place of Derek Jeter to end the inning, however, leaving the AL scoreless.

The NL took a 5-0 lead after the first inning. AL starter Justin Verlander was given the loss after giving up five runs off four hits and two walks. Verlander was pulled for the next inning but by then the damage was done. NL starter Matt Cain got the win after giving up just one hit and no runs in his two innings, striking out one.

For more on the All-Star Game, please be sure to check out our blog Over The Monster, SB Nation and SB Nation Boston.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: Lineup, TV Schedule, Streaming And More

Who will get home-field advantage in the World Series? That question will be answered Tuesday, when the 2012 MLB-All Star Game will played (7:30 p.m. ET on FOX) at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. For the 83rd time, the National League will take on the American League in the "Summer Classic", which features the winner of the contest earning home-field advantage for the champion of its respective league.

Defending Cy Young Award and MVP Award winner Justin Verlander (9-5, 2.58 ERA) of the Detroit Tigers will start for the AL squad and oppose the NL's Matt Cain (9-3, 2.62 ERA) of the San Francisco Giants.

The starting lineups will look like this:

American League:

1. Derek Jeter, Yankees, SS

2. Robinson Cano, Yankees, 2B

3. Josh Hamilton, Rangers, LF

4. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays, RF

5. Prince Fielder, Tigers, 1B

6. Adrian Beltre, Rangers, 3B

7. David Ortiz, Red Sox, DH

8. Mike Napoli, Rangers, C

9. Curtis Granderson, Yankees, CF

National League

1. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies, DH

2. Melky Cabrera, Giants, CF

3. Ryan Braun, Brewers, LF

4. Joey Votto, Reds, 1B

5. Carlos Beltran, Cardinals, RF

6. Buster Posey, Giants, C

7. Pedro Sandoval, Giants, 3B

8. Dan Uggla, Braves, 2B

9. Rafael Furcal, Cardinals, SS

For more on the Home Run Derby, please be sure to check out our blog Over The Monster,SB Nation and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Home Run Derby 2012: Prince Fielder Wins 2nd Career Title

Prince Fielder belted 12 home runs in the final round of the 2012 MLB Home Run Derby to beat Jose Bautista for his second career title at the event. Fielder also hit the longest ball at the event, going 476 feet in the second round and the finals. Bautista led the field with 11 home runs in the first round. He petered off as the competition went on, however. He hit seven homers in the final round.

Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees was the captain for the American League. He was eliminated in the first round after hitting zero home runs, but he did an excellent picking his team. After two rounds, the Top 3 at the even were from the AL, with the addition of Mark Trumbo.

For more on the Home Run Derby, please be sure to check out our blog Over The Monster,SB Nation and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: David Ortiz To Bat 7th For American League

The starting lineups for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game were released on Monday. Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz will bat seventh for the American League (via Boston Herald).

Here's the complete lineups:

American League:

1. Derek Jeter, Yankees, SS

2. Robinson Cano, Yankees, 2B

3. Josh Hamilton, Rangers, LF

4. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays, RF

5. Prince Fielder, Tigers, 1B

6. Adrian Beltre, Rangers, 3B

7. David Ortiz, Red Sox, DH

8. Mike Napoli, Rangers, C

9. Curtis Granderson, Yankees, CF

National League

1. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies, DH

2. Melky Cabrera, Giants, CF

3. Ryan Braun, Brewers, LF

4. Joey Votto, Reds, 1B

5. Carlos Beltran, Cardinals, RF

6. Buster Posey, Giants, C

7. Pedro Sandoval, Giants, 3B

8. Dan Uggla, Braves, 2B

9. Rafael Furcal, Cardinals, SS

Detroit's Justin Verlander will be starting for the AL while the NL starter will be San Francisco's Matt Cain in Tuesday night's All-Star Game which will take place at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO at 7:30 p.m.

For more on the Home Run Derby, please be sure to check out our blog Over The Monster,SB Nation and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Home Run Derby 2012: Contenstants, TV Schedule, Start Time And More

On Monday evening, the 2012 Home Run Derby will be getting underway with MLB gearing up for another clash between some of the strongest players in the game today.

Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees were named the captains for their respective leagues, and then got to choose three players to mash alongside them.

Cano selected Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers, Mark Trumbo of the Los Angeles Angels, and Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays to help the junior circuit retain the Derby crown, held currently by Cano.

Kemp has enlisted Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran and Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies to take the glory for the National League.

The rules are simple: each player gets 10 outs (any pitch swung at that isn't hit for a home run). The top four totals will move on from the first round, then the top two combined totals will go into the finals, where the slate is wiped clean and the best round wins it all.

It should be a lot of fun at Kauffman Stadium for the fans and players alike.

TV: ESPN

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

For more on the Home Run Derby, please be sure to check out our blog Over The Monster, SB Nation and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

MLB All-Star Futures Game: United States 17, World 5

In a surprisingly lopsided affair, the United States Futures took care of business against the World Futures 17-5 on Sunday evening at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

The U.S. team took control in a big way when it scored nine runs in the bottom of the sixth. After falling behind 4-0 after the first two and a half innings, the U.S. tied the game in the bottom of the third. From there, the rout was on with Nick Castellanos leading the way. The Detroit Tigers prospect had a great day going 3 for 4 with a 3-run home run, scoring three times and knocked in three.

Outfielder Wil Myers also had three RBI while Jonathan Singleton had three hits and scored two runs.

Boston only had one prospect in the game, Xavier Bogaerts who batted fifth and played designated hitter for the World team. Bogaerts went 1 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts.

Perhaps the toughest day was had by Ariel Pena, who pitched one-third of an inning and was tagged for eight earned runs, leaving him with a ERA of 216.00 on the afternoon.

The All-Star festivities will continue tomorrow with the Home Run Derby followed by the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday.

For more on the All-Star Game, please be sure to check out Over The Monster and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

MLB Futures Game 2012: Rosters, TV Schedule, Start Time And More

The 2012 MLB All-Star Week officially begins Sunday, and leading off the event in Kansas City will be the MLB Futures Game (5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 or MLB.TV). The exhibition game will showcase the minor leagues top talents, which included the Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaert, who will be the World Team's designated hitter and bat fifth.

"I really worked hard in the offseason to try my best to be a part of the team," said Bogaerts to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. "It's a great honor for me to be a part of the team now. I was working hard in the offseason, thinking about it, working every day to try to make it to be here."

Bogaert will play against Team USA, which will feature current and possible future Red Sox teammate Matt Barnes. Barnes, a former University of Connecticut standout from Bethel, Conn., and Bogaert are currently playing together with Triple-A Salem. Barnes will not start for Team USA, but should see action later in the contest.

Rosters for both Team USA and Team World can be found here.

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2012 MLB All-Star Weekend: Complete TV Schedule For Home Run Derby, All-Star Game And More

The 2012 MLB All-Star Game is just around the corner, and the Boston Red Sox will be represented by designated hitter David Ortiz. A complete television schedule of MLB All-Star Game events is below.

Ortiz was the sole player from the Red Sox to garner enough votes to make the All-Star team. The slugger will be making his eighth appearance (and third straight appearance) in an All-Star Game. He has a .302 average and 22 home runs so far in the 2012 season.

The schedule of events for all of the All-Star festivities is:

Sunday July 8

SiriusXM Futures Game- 5 p.m. ET. on ESPN2

Monday July 9

State Farm Home Run Derby- 8 p.m. ET on ESPN

Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrities Softball Game- 11 p.m. ESPN (Tape Delay)

Tuesday July 10

All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet- 2 p.m. ET on MLB Network

83rd MLB All Star Game- 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX

Stick with this StoryStream for more on Ortiz and the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, and SB Nation Boston for Red Sox previews, recaps and more. For all things Red Sox, check out Over the Monster.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: David Ortiz Will Represent Red Sox In Kansas City

David Ortiz is the lone representative for the Boston Red Sox in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.