SB Nation Seattle - NL Wins 2012 All-Star Game 8-0

2012 MLB All-Star Game: National League Rallies Early To Claim 8-0 Win

2012-07-11T11:00:26Z

The American League didn't have much of a chance on Tuesday night at the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. Despite being arguably the best pitcher in baseball the last three years, Justin Verlander was pounded for five runs in the first inning as the National League went on to win by a score of 8-0.

Ryan Braun doubled home the first run of the game, and Pablo Sandoval followed a few at-bats later with a three-run triple down the right field line. Matt Holliday singled home a run in the fourth to make the score 6-0, and then Melky Cabrera sealed the deal with a two-run home run in the same inning.

Felix Hernandez did not pitch in the Mid-Summer Classic, which was to be expected. The Mariners did not have any other representatives at the game. As for other players in the AL West, Jered Weaver of the Angels worked a perfect inning on the mound. 19-year-old star Mike Trout went 1-for-1 with a walk, and he also stole a base.

Adrian Beltre, Ian Kinsler, Mike Napoli and Elvis Andrus of the Rangers combined to go 1-for-7 at the dish.

It was a rough night for the AL, and now the NL will have home field advantage at the 2012 World Series.

For updates and perspective on the Seattle Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: NL Wins 8-0; Felix MIA

2012-07-11T03:26:21Z

The National League came out with a big bang and coasted to an easy 8-0 victory over the American League. Ron Washington also made good on his promise that the world wouldn't see Felix Hernandez tonight, further depriving Seattle sports of anything pleasant.

Justin Verlander struggled mightily in the first inning, giving up five runs en route to the worst All-Star game showing of his career. That obviously doesn't mean very much, but the San Francisco Giants virtually single handedly powered the National League to victory, accounting for five of the RBIs and four of the runs.

Mike Trout had a good showing, singling up the middle and promptly stealing a base to further strike terror in the hearts of the few and remaining Mariners fans county-wide. Fellow uber-star Bryce Harper had an All-Star Game to probably forget. He got on base by walk, but was caught in a run down and committed an error in left field (although not officially called an error - he did the gif below).

via assets.sbnation.com

In an attempt to redeem its class, the Kansas City crowd gave a standing ovation to Chipper Jones who singled on what Joe Buck unfortunately called a "squirter", in what will be the last hit of his long and illustrious All-Star Game career.

For updates and perspective on the Seattle Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: NL Still Dominating 8-0 Over AL; Still No Sign of Felix

2012-07-11T02:35:38Z

It has been a pretty lopsided affair for the All Star Game. After things seemingly settled down a bit, the San Francisco Giants seemed determined to bring the MVP back to the Bay Area as Melky Cabrera clubbed a two run home run off of Matt Harrison in the fourth inning. Matt Holliday added a RBI to make it 8-0 National League. That score stands through seven innings.

The American League threatened in the fifth inning after an error by Bryce Harper in left field helped lead to a bases loaded situation against Clayton Kershaw, but Kershaw got Ian Kinsler to pop up to end the inning. The AL again got things started in the sixth inning after Mike Trout singled and stole a base. Konerko got beaned by ex-Mariner and beyond feel good story R.A. Dickey before Dickey got Miguel Cabrera to hit into a double play.

Due to the large lead, it seems extra unlikely that Ron Washington will call on Felix Hernandez tonight.

For updates and perspective on the Seattle Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

2012 All Star Game: NL Leads 5-0 After Three; King Felix Probably Won't Pitch

2012-07-11T01:14:24Z

After going the distance on Sunday night with his 113 pitch effort, Ron Washington said he most likely wouldn't use Felix Hernandez in the All Star Game unless he was forced to.

Ron Washington said Felix Hernandez will not pitch tonight, though he offered to. "If he was our guy, we wouldn't want them to use him."
— Larry Stone (@StoneLarry) July 10, 2012

King Felix, as King Felix does, volunteered to pitch but Washington is playing the nice division rival and elected to try and not use the Mariners only all star.

After three innings, it seems like there is a good chance Hernandez won't be pitching either. Justin Verlander was quite shaky in the first inning, giving up five runs in the first inning punctuated by a bases clearing triple by Pablo Sandoval. Meanwhile, Matt Cain shook off unnecessary R.A. Dickey media-spun drama and pitched a clean two innings to carry the National League.

For updates and perspective on the Seattle Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: Felix Hernandez Reacts To Trade Rumors

2012-07-10T17:36:45Z

Felix Hernandez is representing the Seattle Mariners in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, but that doesn't stop the trade speculation from surfacing, even on Monday at the American League media session.

Hernandez had this to say, via Seattle Times:

"First of all, it's not my decision. I don't think they're going to trade me. I like Seattle, and I want to help the Seattle Mariners win a World Series.

"I have two more years. I want to stay here, It's my decision," Hernandez said of the possibility of re-signing.

Also of note: A lot of Hernandez's family showed up for his All-Star appearance in Kansas City, including his wife and his parents. This is Hernandez's third time playing in the All-Star game, but just the first time his parents get to see him play.

For updates and perspective on the Seattle Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

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

2012-07-10T12:00:29Z

The 2012 MLB All-Star game takes place on Tuesday Night at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Action starts at around 4:30 PM local time in Seattle, or 7:30 PM Eastern Time. The game will be televised on FOX and streamed on ESPN Radio.

The Seattle Mariners have one representative for the American League in Felix Hernandez. Hernadez has pitched 123.2 innings, posting a 3.13 ERA in the process while also maintaining a 1.23 WHIP. It's Hernandez's third All-Star Game appearance. He'll come out of the bullpen if he's called upon, as Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers is slated to start.

The lineups for tonight's game are below.

American League

1 - Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

2 - Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

3 - Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers

4 - Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

5 - Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers

6 - Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers

7 - David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

8 - Mike Napoli, Texas Rangers

9 - Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees

1 - Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies

2 - Melky Cabrera, San Francisco Giants

3 - Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

4 - Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

5 - Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals

6 - Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

7 - Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants

8 - Dan Uggla, Atlanta Braves

9 - Rafael Furcal, St .Louis Cardinals

2012 Home Run Derby: Prince Fielder Wins Home Run Derby; A Mariners Fan Openly Sobs Somewhere

2012-07-10T02:57:02Z

Prince Fielder proved why he was so coveted by the Mariners this past summer by clubbing 12 home runs in the final round to lead past Jose Bautista to take unofficial title of Supreme Slugger In All of the Universe. Bautista made a final effort, but Fielder's complete obliteration of the baseball was just too much to get past.

For Seattle fans, the real story is that Fielder is making a run at a different kind of history most people aren't aware of. He is the first player to win multiple home run derbies since Ken Griffey Jr. Luckily, Junior did a good job of staking claim to being one of the best home run hitters on the planet, and has three home run derby titles under his belt, including back to back wins in 1998 and 1999.

For updates and perspective on the Seattle Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

Home Run Derby 2012: Mythical Mariners Free Agent Fielder Advances to Finals

2012-07-10T02:26:03Z

After struggling to barely make it out of the first round, Prince Fielder went for the dramatic showing - launching even more balls into the fountain at Kauffman Stadium sending the crowd and the media personalities into an absolute tizzy.

Prince just took this Derby over: 11 HR, 4 inthe fountains, 1 in a luxury box, 4 over 460 feet. I retract my earlier tweet. He can win now
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 10, 2012

Mark Trumbo once again showed why Mariners fans need to cry for the next decade or so, launching some absolute bombs into the crowds at Kauffman Stadium, prompting Chris Berman to say "That one was TEED OFF" while the announcing crew talked about hitting tees. Trumbo barely squeaked into a elimination swing-off against Jose Bautista, but Bautista shed his second round struggles to advance to face Fielder in the final round.

For updates and perspective on the Seattle Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.