National League Wins All Star Game, Home Field in World Series

With home field advantage in this year's World Series on the line, the Major League Baseball All Star Game was set to be an entertaining match up. The National League crushed any hope of that instantly, winning in an 8-0 rout, the first shutout in an All Star Game since the National League won 6-0 in 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.

The NL scored five runs in the top of the first off of American League starter Justin Verlander (Tigers), scoring on an RBI double from Ryan Braun (Brewers), a bases clearing triple from Pablo Sandoval (Giants), and an RBI infield single from Dan Uggla (Braves). That was all the National League needed, but they surely tacked on more.

In the top of the fourth, against Matt Harrision (Rangers), Matt Holliday (Cardinals) extended the lead with an RBI single and former Yankee Melky Cabrera (Giants, MVP) smashed a two run shot to make it an 8-0 game.

Both New York Mets in the All Star Game performed admirably in their time on the field. Despite the lobbying that he should have been a starter being invalidated by a great performance by Sandoval, reserve third baseman David Wright went 0-2 at bat, but made a nice backhanded stab on a hot shot by Royals DH Billy Butler. Knuckleballer RA Dickey tossed a scoreless inning and recorded a strikeout, justifying the arguments made by many that he should have started the game. The Mets get their season started again on Friday night in Atlanta.

Yankees Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano both went 1-2 at the plate, while Curtis Granderson went 0-2. The Yankees pick back up at home against the Angels on Friday.

Player of the Game: Melky Cabrera (2-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2R, MVP)

The Melk man was fantastic for the National League, clubbing the game's only home run and pacing the National League's offensive outburst en route to winning the All Star Game MVP award. If San Francisco can get over the hump and qualify for the playoffs, Cabrera could very well secure home field in the World Series for his own team.

"Good Job, Good Effort" Player of the Game: Justin Verlander (1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER)

Justin Verlander is the reigning American League Cy Young award winner AND Most Valuable Player, so it came as a bit of a surprise to see him lay an egg like he did on the hill at the All Star Game. Whether the Tigers qualify for the playoffs or not, he ruined the AL's shot at home field advantage in the world series, angering multiple fan bases in the process. Good job, good effort, Justin Verlander.

Foot in Mouth Moments of the Game: Sandy Alderson and Kansas City Royals fans

Sandy Alderson took to Twitter to air his grievances with the fans' decision to insert Pablo Sandoval as the All Star Game's starting third baseman. After Sandoval's three run triple in the first, Alderson might want to think twice before bashing both the Mets fan base for not voting enough and questioning the judgement of baseball fans as a whole.

As for the Kansas City Royals fans, they spent two whole days booing Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano for not selecting Billy Butler for the American League Home Run Derby team. What did Butler do in the All Star Game? He went 0-2 with a ground out and a strikeout. You stay classy, Kansas City. I hope you enjoyed Cano's failures last night, as they were the greatest victory for the Royals franchise since the George Brett era.