Daily Archives: July 11, 2012

July 11, 2012

All Star Game: National 8, American 0

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W: Cain (1-0) L: Verlander (0-1)

Boxscore

Last night’s mid-summer classic was almost a little boring after the first inning or so. By that time, the National League had already established a 5-0 lead that would turn out to be more than enough. By the time it was all over, the National League had shut out the American League 8-0.

Matt Cain of the Giants started the parade of pitchers with 2.0 innings of 0 run, 1 hit work. Then came the next 10 guys. Aroldis Chapman was in there somewhere. With 2 outs already in the eighth, he walked Mike Trout on seven pitches. But then he struck out Mark Trumbo swinging on merely 98- and 99-MPH pitches, so he managed to keep the runless streak going.

On the offense, the accolades go to Pablo Sandoval who knocked in 3 in the first inning with a triple. He’s a big guy to be swatting a triple, but hits to right field were causing the AL lots of trouble last night. Ultimately the National League ended up with 3 triples: one from Sandoval, one from Rafael Furcal, and one from Ryan Braun.

Joey Votto went 0-for-3 last night with one strikeout and two ground outs. Jay Bruce came in as a defensive sub in the bottom of the fifth and went 0-for-2. He flied out in the top of the sixth and grounded out in the top of the ninth.

The win brings the National League’s record to 1-0, gives the home advantage in the World Series to the senior circuit, and means we can finally say goodbye to Tony LaRussa. The next game will be in 2013. If the stars align, Dusty Baker will be managing it.

July 11, 2012

Daily Brief: National League wins All Star Game

Last Game
The National League trounced the American League in last night’s All Star Game: final score NL 8, AL 0. Joey Votto continued his 0-for-ASG streak, though the NL has won all of the ASGs he’s been in. Jay Bruce also didn’t get any hits, but caught the last out of the game. Aroldis Chapman only put in 0.1 innings, but he was pitching for Tony LaRussa after all.

Next Game
The Reds have today and tomorrow off. They’re back in action against the Cardinals on Friday. In the meantime, you’ll just have to bust out Monopoly or something.

Home Field Advantage
Should the Reds make their way into the World Series this season, you’ll have one additional opportunity to catch a game in Cincinnati. Assuming they don’t clamp the door shut in 4 games, that is.

Well, a girl can dream. Let’s not forget that the Pirates are currently in possession of first place in the NLC, and look like they have a better chance of maintaining that hold than in recent years.

To provide a little contrast, the Pirates’ All-Star hitter (Andrew McCutchen) actually got a hit. Their reliever (Joel Hanrahan) didn’t allow any walks before he struck his one batter of the night out. Not that any of it means anything, but I wouldn’t mind having a little more to brag about my specific guys right now.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The All Star Game has been held in Kansas City three times: 1960, 1973, and 2012. The National League won all three of those games.