The National League beat up the American League MVP and cruised to an 8-0 win in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Kansas City.
It is the third straight year the NL has won, and as a result, the Rangers will have to start on the road if they make their third straight World Series. They have begun on the road in each of the last two seasons. It was the largest margin of victory for the NL in All-Star Game history.
Tuesday was the 8th shutout in All-Star Game history and the 1st since 1996.It was the second-largest shutout trailing only the 1946 game.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 11, 2012
Tigers starter Justin Verlander allowed five runs in the first inning, including a three-RBI triple from Giants infielder Pablo Sandoval. All eight NL runs came over two innings. Rangers starter Matt Harrison allowed three two-out runs in the fourth inning, including a two-run homer from Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera.
Cabrera went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and was awarded the game's MVP.
As for the other Rangers players, Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre went 0-for-2, and Mike Napoli went 1-for-2 in the start. Off the bench, Ian Kinsler went 0-for-2 and Elvis Andrus went 0-for-1 while playing third base. Out of the bullpen, Joe Nathan threw a perfect second inning, but Yu Darvish did not make an appearance. Here is SI.com's box score.
In the end, 41 position players and 20 pitchers total played in the game.
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