MLB All-Star Game 2012: Justin Verlander Takes Loss As NL Shuts Out AL

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2012 MLB All-Star Game: Justin Verlander's Start Historically Bad

We all know that Justin Verlander's start in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game was bad. It turns out that his one inning of work, while immensely entertaining to watch (especially if you're a fan of an NL team!) was historically disastrous. Five runs were given up by Verlander in only one inning, and the only real highlight was up on the speed gun screen where triple digits kept flashing.

MLive.com put out a little piece detailing every start in the history of the All-Star Game by a Detroit Tigers pitcher, and it's easy to compare all of them and put Verlander's start at the bottom. Hal Newhouser, Denny McLain, Jack Morris, Kenny Rogers and Mark Fidrych were the other Tigers starters in question and only Fidrych came close to Verlander's start:

In his lone All-Star start, Fidrych struggled from the get-go, giving up a leadoff single before serving a standup triple to Steve Garvey. A two-time All-Star, Fidrych didn't return after two innings, giving up two runs on four hits -- striking out one.

Turns out that it might have been historically bad for the ASG in general, not just among the various Tigers pitchers that have taken the mound:

He became only the third pitcher in All-Star Game history to allow five-plus runs in one or fewer innings pitched, joining Atlee Hammaker (1983) and Sandy Consuegra (1954).

But hey, he did hit 101 miles per hour and gave the fans a show. He's said already that's what was really important about the whole thing. It's not like his talent is going to be questioned simply because he got roughed up in an exhibition game.

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• 11 months ago
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2012 MLB All-Star Game: Justin Verlander Says All-Star Game Was 'For The Fans'

There's no way around it, Justin Verlander was absolutely roughed up during the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. He had an awful inning of play to give the NL a quick 5-0 lead, which they held on to and won the game with. It was no drop in form for Verlander though, he was just there to entertain.

He already said during the game that he had been told to try and throw 101 mile per hour fastballs and was going with high velocity over solid control to give the fans something to talk about. He extrapolated on that a bit after the game:

"Obviously, I don't want to give up runs. I know it means something, but we're here for the fans. And I know the fans don't want to see me throw 90 and try to hit the corners. Just let it eat."

If entertainment is what Verlander was going for, he certainly provided it -- though the fans of AL teams in the stands were assuredly not incredibly pleased about it as they dropped not only the game, but a chance at getting home field advantage in the World Series.

That's what happens when you make an exhibition game matter in the final series of the year. Entertainment has just a twinge of disappointment to it in the end, at least to somebody.

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• 11 months ago
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MLB All-Star Game 2012: Prince Fielder Finishes Night 0-2, NL Expands Big Lead

The National League expanded its lead to 8-0 in the fourth inning after San Francisco Giants center fielder Melky Cabrera hit a two-run homer off of Texas Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison. The NL remains in control through six innings.

Homer Run Derby champ and Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder is done for the night. The American League starting first baseman gave way to Paul Konerko in the fifth inning after going 0-2 at the plate. Fielder did generate some buzz with his home run swing producing a pair of warning track outs to center and left field.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera relieved Adrian Beltre for the American League and had to face knuckleballer R.A. Dickey in his first at bat in the sixth inning. With two on and one out, Cabrera hit a tailor-made double-play ball to shortstop.

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• 11 months ago
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MLB All-Star Game 2012: Tigers' Justin Verlander Knocked Around In 1st Inning

Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander faltered in the first inning his first All-Star Game start for the American League. After striking out Carols Gonzalez to start the game, the National League rallied to score five runs on four hits.

Verlander made it out of the inning but did not return for the second inning as expected. After Ryan Braun doubled to score Melky Cabrera and his day-glow orange shoes, Verlander looked like he might work his way out of a big inning, as he struck out Joey Votto. But a pair of walks to Carlos Beltran and Buster Posey loaded the bases and then Pablo Sandoval cleared them off with a triple. Dan Uggla then singled home Sandoval to complete the scoring before Verlander forced Rafael Furcal to ground into a fielder's choice.

According to Jayson Stark, Verlander's start was historically bad, as he was just the second starting pitcher to give up at least five run in the first inning.

Last starter to give up 5+ R in the 1st inning of an ASG: Roger Clemens in 2004. And who else? Uh, nobody -- till now.

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 11, 2012

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MLB All-Star Game 2012: Justin Verlander Makes Appearance On David Letterman's 'Top 10'

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, who will start in Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game, made a cameo on David Letterman Monday.

For his nightly "Top 10" list, Letterman had 10 different players make a quip. Verlander relayed the first of evening's "Top 10 facts about the All-Star Game":

This year, they've added an extra base.

The rest of the Top 10 -- transcribed by MLive.com, which also has a video of the skit -- included:

9. Catcher may be replaced by a designated squatter (Joe Mauer)

8. After the Home Run Derby, there's now a Weak Grounder to Third Derby (Chris Sale)

7. During the 1937 All-Star Game, Dizzy Dean's the first player to to yell "Go sit in the truck!" (Jered Weaver)

6. All-Star etiquette requires players to spit discreetly into a handkerchief (David Price)

5. The game's tomorrow and I still don't know what the All-Star ambassador does (George Brett)

4. Players need notes from two different doctors to get out of doing lame top ten lists (Adam Jones)

3. This year's game is cup-optional (Josh Hamilton)

2. Earlier today, we all bonded at a matinee of "Magic Mike" (C.J. Wilson)

1. Oh crap, the game's tomorrow?! (Derek Jeter)

Coverage of the All-Star Game, which will be held at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, will begin at 7:30 Eastern. The event will be televised on Fox and streamed online at MLB.com.

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• 12 months ago
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2012 MLB All-Star Game: Lineup, TV Schedule, Streaming And More

The 2012 MLB All-Star Game will be broadcast live from Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium Tuesday night.

The game will be televised on Fox. A radio broadcast will be on ESPN Radio. Coverage at each platform begins at 7:30 PM Eastern.

The Detroit Tigers will be well-represented, with Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera and Home Run Debry winner Prince Fielder all on hand. Verlander and Fielder are each scheduled to start for the American League.

The host Kansas City Royals have just one player, Billy Butler, in the All-Star Game. Butler was left out of the Home Run Derby by Robinson Cano, so expect the Yankees second basemen to receive a chilly reception from Royals fans in attendance.

Complete lineups are available here.

The AL has won 12 of the last 15 All-Star games, although the NL has won the last two.

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• 12 months ago
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Home Run Derby 2012: Prince Fielder To Face Jose Bautista In Final Round

The Detroit Tigers' Prince Fielder is in the finals of the 2012 MLB Home Run Derby. He will go up against the Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista.

Fielder just barely advanced to the second round with five home runs in the first, one more than the eliminated Carlos Gonzalez (Colorado Rockies) and Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh Pirates). His 11 in the second round gave him a berth in the final.

Bautista hit 11 in the first round, but only two in the second. He had to beat Mark Trumbo (Los Angeles Angels) in a swing-off for the right to face Fielder.

Carlos Beltran (St. Louis Cardinals) was eliminated after two rounds with a total of 12.

Matt Kemp (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Robinson Cano (New York Yankees) were eliminated in the first round. Cano did not hit a single home run, while being booed by the Kansas City crowd.

For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out Bless You Boys. For more news and analysis on the upcoming All-Star Game as well as everything going on during the break, check out Baseball Nation.

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Home Run Derby 2012: Fielder Has 16 Through 2 Rounds

The Detroit Tigers' Prince Fielder has 16 home runs through two rounds in the 2012 Home Run Derby. He led off the second round with 11 home runs after hitting five in the first.

Fielder also has the seven longest home runs in the competition so far.

The two participants with the highest combined home run total after two rounds will advance to the final round.

The Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista got a head start with his 11 home runs in Round 1. He'll be the last up in the second round.

Carlos Beltran of the St. Louis Cardinals and Mark Trumbo of the Los Angeles Angels have seven apiece.

The Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Matt Kemp and the New York Yankees' Robinson Cano have already been eliminated.

For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out Bless You Boys. For more news and analysis on the upcoming All-Star Game as well as everything going on during the break, check out Baseball Nation.

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Home Run Derby 2012: Prince Fielder Hits 5 Home Runs In 1st Round

The Detroit Tigers' Prince Fielder has started the 2012 Home Run Derby with five home runs in the first round, including the longest of the night, a 454-foot bomb. He is currently fourth in the standings.

Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays is No. 1 on the leaderboard with 11 home runs. Bautista hit only four in this event last year.

The St. Louis Cardinals' Carlos Beltran, who led off the event and received cheers upon returning to Kansas City, managed seven.

Mark Trumbo of the Los Angeles Angels is tied with Beltran.

Fielder's performance eliminated the Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez and the Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen, who each had four.

Matt Kemp managed just one home run. Robinson Cano will finish off the first round.

For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out Bless You Boys. For more news and analysis on the upcoming All-Star Game as well as everything going on during the break, check out Baseball Nation.

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2012 Home Run Derby: Prince Fielder Enters Competition As Most Experienced Slugger

On Monday night, the 2012 Home Run Derby will take place at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium and Detroit Tigers slugger Prince Fielder will be entering the event as the player with the most experience. Participating in his fourth derby, as well as winning the 2009 event, Fielder is the most qualified of the contestants to share his thoughts on the slugging competition.

On Monday afternoon, Fielder did just that when he participated in the Home Run Derby press conference and explained what it was like to win the Derby. Via MLB.com:

"It was awesome. You've got these two [in reference to his children] behind me jumping up and down. It's just cool having your family out there, just seeing how it's just a good feeling, you know, especially when your family is here."

Every year, there is a great deal of discussion about players messing up their swings or hurting themselves from having to hit home runs. Fielder downplayed the issue.

I was a little sore after. You're a little sore sometimes. But it's fun. I don't know, it's not -- it's nothing that you should -- it doesn't hurt you too bad. It doesn't.

The derby will begin at 8 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN.

For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out Bless You Boys. For more news and analysis on the upcoming All-Star Game as well as everything going on during the break, check out Baseball Nation.

• 12 months ago
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2012 Home Run Derby: Contestants, TV Schedule, Start Time And More

With the MLB Futures game done as well as Sunday's slate of regular games, the All-Star Break can now begin in earnest with the Home Run Derby on Monday night. Detroit Tigers fans will have a rooting interest in this year's derby as well, with slugger Prince Fielder being part of Robinson Cano's squad for the American League.

Also on Cano's squad is Mark Trumbo of the Angels and Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays.

Taking them on will be Matt Kemp's team, featuring Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies, Carlos Beltran of the Cardinals and Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates. McCutchen is on the squad in place of Giancarlo Stanton, who had to be removed from the squad due to injury.

The derby will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. It will be televised on ESPN.

For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out Bless You Boys. For more news and analysis on the upcoming All-Star Game as well as everything going on during the break, check out Baseball Nation.

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2012 MLB All-Star Game: Justin Verlander Will Reportedly Start For American League

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

The Detroit Tigers are going to have some solid representation for all of the MLB All-Star game festivities. In the MLB Futures Game, they've got three representatives at three positions. Bruce Rondon will be a pitcher for the World Team, while Nick Castellanos and Rob Brantley will be with the U.S. Team. Brantley, a catcher, is currently in Triple-A, WHILE Castellanos, an infielder, is in Double-A, along with Rondon.

Castellanos was drafted 44th overall by the Tigers in 2010, and was batting .382 with four home runs and 36 RBIs over 66 appearances in Double-A and Single-A at the time the rosters were announced. Rondon had thrown in 23 games with an ERA of 1.85 with 16 saves and 25 strikeouts in Double-A and Single-A at the time of announcement.

Time: Sunday, July 8, 5:00 p.m. E.T.

Location: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City

TV/Stream: ESPN 2/MLB.com

You can find the full rosters for the game here.

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MLB All-Star Game Voting Results: Austin Jackson's Season 'Solid', But Not All-Star Worthy

There will be plenty of recognizable Detroit Tigers names at the 2012 All-Star Game with Prince Fielder, Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera all on the AL's squad.

Unfortunately, Austin Jackson was left off of the team and has been characterized by some as a 'snub' for the AL. Detroit Tigers blog Bless You Boys is unsurprised by Jackson being left off the team and is calling the snub 'notable, but not awful':

Jackson put together a pretty good rookie season, but stumbled badly in 2011 -- at least at the plate. And despite having the respect from a number of analysts -- and a Fielding Bible award to show for it -- Jackson's peers in the game haven't seemed to show great awareness of his glove. So when neither the fans nor the league selects him to play in the ASG, it can't come as a great surprise. If Jackson continues putting up great numbers next year and he's still ignored, then you've got a great complaint. Until then, I don't think it's the worst snub in history.

So far this season, Jackson has hit .323/.404/.529 with eight home runs and 35 RBI, career best numbers for this point in the season. His good year had the analysts on his side, but the votes just weren't there. If he keeps it up, it's a lot more likely he'll be a 2013 All-Star despite this year's supposed snub.

For more 2012 MLB All-Star game coverage, stay locked with this StoryStream. For more on the Tigers, head over to Bless You Boys. And for more MLB news and expert analysis, be sure to check out Baseball Nation.

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Prince Fielder Maintains Lead At First Base In AL All-Star Voting

The Detroit Tigers have a couple guys vying for leading spots when it comes to the American League All-Star Voting. Prince Fielder has held a steady lead at first base, though recent numbers show him in a little danger. That being said, the numbers are evening out after a surge by Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox.

Last week, Konerko passed up Mark Teixeira of the Yankees to take first place, and came within striking distance of Fielder. At that point, Fielder had 1,421,786 votes and Konerko came within 250,000 votes of him at 1,147,089 - a difference of 274,697.

The latest numbers have Fielder leading at 1,946,045 votes and Konerko trailing him at 1,680,793. That's a difference of 265,252 - smaller than last week, but a far cry from the rapid clip that Konerko had been rising before. Prior to last week, Konerko had less-than 700,000 votes.

Miguel Cabrera is still in the running at third base, but he trails Adrian Beltre by a good amount. Beltre leads with 2,251,304 votes while Cabrera comes in at 1,869,727. Austin Jackson is receiving votes for the outfield, and he's at 741,877, but there are 11 players above him. Below are the leaderboards for those positions, courtesy of the official website:

FIRST BASE
Prince Fielder, Tigers: 1,946,045
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 1,680,793
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 1,405,187
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 1,202,724
Albert Pujols, Angels: 1,047,722

THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,251,304
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 1,869,727
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,442,308
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 1,312,968
Mike Moustakas, Royals: 651,403

OUTFIELD
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 5,414,880
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 2,818,535
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 1,996,940
Adam Jones, Orioles: 1,959,207
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,944,487
David Murphy, Rangers: 1,229,190
Nick Swisher, Yankees: 1,177,500
Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 823,568
Brett Gardner, Yankees: 818,164
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 795,665
B.J. Upton, Rays: 753,581
Austin Jackson, Tigers: 741,877
Nick Markakis, Orioles: 696,720
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 631,899
Alex Gordon, Royals: 609,890

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MLB All-Star Game Voting: Prince Fielder Continues To Lead At First Base

Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder is the top vote-getter in the most recent All-Star ballot tabulations released by MLB.com. But things are getting tighter.

When MLB.com released numbers last week, Fielder held a 330,000-vote lead over No. 2 Mark Teixeira of the New York Yankees.

Teixeira has faded a bit, but Paul Konerko, previously No. 3, has ascended to No. 2 -- and he has narrowed the gap. At last count, Fielder checked in with 1,421,786 votes, Konerko with 1,147,089, a difference of 274,697. That lead doesn't figure to evaporate overnight, but Konerko is certainly coming on strong. In last week's count, he was No. 3 and has less than 700,000 votes.

Here is the current leaderboard:

FIRST BASE
Prince Fielder, Tigers: 1,421,786
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 1,147,089
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 991,075
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 852,091
Albert Pujols, Angels: 707,779

Miguel Cabrera, meanwhile, has some catching up to do at third base:

THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 1,634,057
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 1,313,063
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,061,901
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 927,163
Mike Moustakas, Royals: 548,936

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