2012 MLB All-Star Game: National League Wins 8-0, Wade Miley Pitches In Ninth

The National League won the 2012 All-Star Game by the widest margin in history, claiming a blowout 8-0 victory at beautiful Kauffmann Stadium. The NL got out to an early 5-0 lead over the American League, and the pitching staff held strong throughout. That included Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Wade Miley, who worked one-third of an inning in the ninth.

Ryan Braun drove home the first run of the night with a double off the right field wall. After two more batters reached, Pablo Sandoval hit a bases-clearing triple down the right field line to move his club up 4-0. Dan Uggla then hit an infield single to make the score 5-0.

Matt Holliday singled home another run in the fourth inning off Matt Harrison, and then Melky Cabrera sent a two-run shot over the left field wall to push the lead to 8-0.

The National League's pitching staff was superb. Matt Cain made the start and worked two shutout innings. Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg then worked a scoreless inning each, and they were followed by Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers. R.A. Dickey pitched the sixth inning and Cole Hamels worked a perfect seventh to send the game to a couple of bullpen pitchers.

Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman combined to strike out all three batters in the eighth. Miley surrendered a single Joe Mauer to begin the ninth, but he forced Elvis Andrus to groundout for the first out of the inning. Joel Hanrahan and Jonathan Papelbon both recorded an out to close out the game.

The National League will now have home field advantage in the 2012 World Series.

For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation. Also be sure to subscribe to the SB Nation Youtube Channel for video commentary.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: NL Wins 8-0

The National League came of the gates swinging and never really stopped in an easy 8-0 victory over the American League in the 2012 All Star Game.

Justin Verlander got beat around in the first inning and the final daggers were placed in the fourth as the San Francisco Giants enlisted a few other National Leaguers to help them in the victory. Pablo Sandoval hit a bases loaded triple in the first inning to help tag Verlander for five runs in the first inning, and Melky Cabrera launched a two run home run off of Matt Harrison in the fourth to emphasize the fact.

Wade Miley pitched to start the ninth inning, giving up a single to Joe Mauer and retiring Elvis Andrus before leaving the mound.

Bryce Harper didn't have an All-Star game really worth remembering. He reached base on a walk and showed aggression in tagging from first to second on a long fly ball to center. But Harper got caught in a run down on the subsequent at bat, and then lost a ball in the sun in left field later in the next inning.

The American League threatened a couple of times with a bases load situation in the fifth and two men on in the sixth but couldn't capitalize against the National League pitching. It is the third straight All-Star Game victory for the National League.

For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation. Also be sure to subscribe to the SB Nation Youtube Channel for video commentary.

MLB 2012 All Star Game: NL Leads 8-0 Through 5th Inning

Justin Verlander gave up five runs in the first inning and the NL hasn't really looked back since. Verlander struggled mightily and was done in after a three run, bases loaded triple by Pablo Sandoval. It is the first triple for Sandoval in 2012. Fellow San Francisco Giant Melky Cabrera launched a two run home run off of Matt Harrison in the fourth inning, and Matt Cain pitched two strong innings to open the game as it seems that the MVP will be heading to someone in the Bay Area.

The AL threatened a bit in the bottom of the 5th inning after Bryce Harper lost a routine fly in the sun. The AL would go on to load the bases against Clayton Kershaw who gave Harper a second chance and retired Ian Kinsler on a fly ball to left field. Otherwise, the AL has struggled to muster any sort of attack and it seems that the National League will have home field advantage this year.

For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation. Also be sure to subscribe to the SB Nation Youtube Channel for video commentary.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: I Have To Watch, Right?

Baseball's midsummer classic is here...and it's the only game on anywhere.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: 'Mind-Blowing' Experience For Wade Miley

Diamondbacks pitcher Wade Miley might be a bit star struck at the MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City, and with good reason. The rookie had a chance to hang out with his childhood hero Chipper Jones, now his teammate on the National League squad.

Miley mentioned before that he had no expectations going in, and he's clearly just enjoying the experience. He had this to say on Monday, via MLB.com:

"It just blows my mind," Miley said. "On the bus, I was a like a little puppy dog looking around at everybody. I'm just trying to cherish it. You never know if this is going to happen again, so you have try to take it all in."

For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation. Also be sure to subscribe to the SB Nation Youtube Channel for video commentary.

Which Pitcher Will Round Out The Diamondbacks' Rotation Post All-Star Break?

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

The 2012 MLB All-Star Game will take place tonight at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, where the Royals generally play their Major League Baseball over the course of the season. The game will be telecast on FOX and be broadcasted by Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. Coverage of the All-Star Game starts around 7:30 PM PT, 4:30 PM ET. You should also be able to listen to the game on your local ESPN Radio affiliate.

Here is the lineup for the National League, or the conference of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Matt Cain is the starting pitcher, and players like Buster Posey C, Joey Votto 1B, Dan Uggla 2B, Rafael Furcal SS, Pablo Sandoval 3B, Melky Cabrera OF, Carlos Beltran OF and Ryan Braun get to start.

The Diamondbacks have only one representative who might get a chance to pitch on Tuesday night: One Wade Miley. Miley was considered a long reliever going into the season, which makes his inclusion into baseball's signature all-star event all the more intriguing. Miley has come out and become Arizona's most complete pitcher in 2012, as he's posted around a 3.04 ERA with just over 100 innings pitched and a WHIP of 1.02.

For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

2012 Home Run Derby: Prince Fielder Clubs Way to Home Run Derby Victory

Potential controversy was avoided as Prince Fielder clubbed 12 home runs in the final round to take the Home Run Derby crown over Jose Bautista. Fielder was in the midst of putting on a clinic when one home run that appeared to land on top of the fence wasn't counted as a home run. The ESPN announcing crew immediately gave the sensible and helpful suggestion that the MLB adopt replay reviews for the Home Run Derby.

Fielder's 12 home runs in the final round were the most since Robinson Cano back in 2011.

For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

Home Run Derby 2012: Bautista and Fielder Advance

Prince Fielder must be feeling the midwest heat as he launched more balls into the fountain at Kauffman Stadium, taking the lead with six total in the left field waterfall. Carlos Beltran had a bit of a struggle at the plate, only hitting five home runs in the second round to end up with a total of 12 for the two rounds. Bautista struggled even more, hitting only two home runs in the second round to force a swing-off with Mark Trumbo.

Trumbo struggled in the five chance swing-off, only hitting one home run. Bautista clubbed his first two pitches for home runs to prove once again why he is one of the most feared hitters in batting practice.

And meanwhile, Jon Kruk got so bored during the interviews he started to eat ribs.

via assets.sbnation.com

For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

Home Run Derby 2012: Bautista, Beltran, Fielder, and Trumbo Advance

The Home Run Derby had a bit of everything. The towering shots of Mark Trumbo, the frightening consistency of Jose Bautista, the failed comeback of Matt Kemp, and a surprisingly bitter Kansas City Crowd upset that Robinson Cano didn't pick Billy Butler for the AL Team.

That surprisingly bitter Billy Butler crowd got into Cano's head as he became the first player since Brandon Inge in 2009 to not hit a home run. The defending champ was apparently tired from his 5 a.m. arrival time.

Bautista clubbed 11 home runs, Trumbo and Carlos Beltran each hit 7, and Prince Fielder squeaked by with five home runs in the first round of the derby.

For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

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

The Arizona Diamondbacks will not have any representatives in the annual Home Run Derby on Monday night, but there will still be more than enough spectacle to go around for casual fans as the American League and National League teams attempt to launch bombs into the fountains at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Defending champion Robinson Cano will serve as the captain of the American League team and he has definitely assembled a team of fearsome mashers. Mark Trumbo of the Los Angeles Angels, Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays and Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers will try to hit plenty of dingers and take home the trophy. Fielder is also a former champion, winning the event in 2009.

On the National League side, Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers will bring with him the team of Carlos Gonzalez, Carlos Beltran and Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen, who was a last-minute replacement for Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, who needed knee surgery at the end of the first half.

The 2012 Home Run Derby begins at 5 p.m. PT on Monday night. It will be televised on ESPN.

For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

MLB All-Star Futures Game: Tyler Skaggs Helps U.S. Pick Up 17-5 Win

The All-Star festivities in Kansas City got started on Sunday afternoon with the 2012 MLB Futures Game at Kauffman Stadium. The best and the brightest minor league prospects from around the country faced off on a national stage and plenty of them got a chance to dazzle. In the end, the U.S. Futures team overcame an early deficit to defeat the World Futures team handily by a final score of 17-5.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect Tyler Skaggs contributed to the U.S. Futures win, giving up one hit and striking out one batter in an inning of work. He was credited with a hold. Fellow D-backs prospect Alfredo Marte started the game in left field for the World Futures team, but went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

Skaggs actually faced Marte in the fifth inning and got Marte to fly out to center field.

Nick Castellanos of the Detroit Tigers organization took home the MVP award by going 3-for-4 with a three-run homer.

For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB Futures Game: D-backs Prospect Tyler Skaggs Impresses In Fifth Inning

The Arizona Diamondbacks are betting on Tyler Skaggs to lead their rotation for years to come along with Trevor Bauer, Ian Kennedy and Wade Miley, and the young lefty certainly impressed at the 2012 MLB Futures Game. Skaggs, who is pitching for Team USA, came in to pitch the fifth inning and did not allow a run, surrendering just one hit. He struck out a batter and needed just eight pitches to record three outs.

Now in the bottom of the sixth inning, Skaggs' Team USA leads the World Team by a score of 6-5. The World Team got out to an early 4-0 lead, but Team USA rallied for four runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth.

You can find the game live on ESPN2 right now. You can also find it streamed live online through ESPN3 and MLB.tv.

For more on Skaggs and the D-backs, be sure to check out AZ Snake Pit.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: Wade Miley Set For First Appearance, Has 'No Expectations'

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

The All-Star break begins with the MLB Futures Game. The best and brightest minor leaguers will play on Sunday.

MLB Final Vote: Aaron Hill Misses Out On National League All-Star Team

2012 MLB All-Star Game: Aaron Hill On Final Ballot For Fan Vote

2012 MLB All-Star Voting: Wade Miley Named Lone Diamondback On NL Squad

Wade Miley will represent your D-backs at the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.