2012 All-Star game live blog

By Mark Townsend | Big League Stew

Pablo Sandoval rips a first inning first bases clearing triple off Justin Verlander. (Getty)

9:43 PM (ET): Bryce Harper's All-Star debut went like this: Draws a walk against Jered Weaver. Tags up and advances to second on a flyball to left field. Gets caught in a rundown trying to advance to third on a groudball to the pitcher. Tagged out. But man, those shoes.

9:33 PM: Ryan Braun just had the first webgem of the evening, leaping to rob former Miwaukee Brewers teammate Prince Fielder of extra bases. That gets Stephen Strasburg to the dugout with a scoreless All-Star debut.

9:25 PM: The Cardinals connection of Rafael Furcal (triple) and Matt Holliday (RBI single) struck against Texas Rangers left-handed Matt Harrison in the fourth. Former Royal Melky "Melk-Man" Cabrera then followed with a two-run homer to expand the NL's lead to 8-0. Cabrera was also stiffed by former Yankees teammate Robinson Cano on a handshake attempt as he rounded the bases.

9:16 PM: Left-handers David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays and Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals each tossed a perfect third inning. It appears we're settling in for a pitcher's duel the rest of the way.

9:00 PM: Joe Nathan restored order for the American League in the second with a 1-2-3 inning. Matt Cain then breezed through his second scoreless inning. National League maintains their 5-0 advantage as we head to the third.

8:46 PM: Here's video of Chipper Jones' passionate pre-game speech in the National League clubhouse. It appears to have worked.

8:35 PM: The National League breaks through first, second, third, fourth, and fifth against Justin Verlander. After a one-out single by Melky Cabrera, Ryan Braun doubled over the head of right fielder Jose Bautista to bring home the first run. Verlander would proceed to walk Carlos Beltran and Buster Posey, which led to the very first, according to Baseball Reference, bases clearing triple in All-Star game history off the bat of Pablo Sandoval.
Rafael Furcal's RBI infield single wrapped up the NL's record-tying five-run first inning (it's the fourth time they've done it). All in all, Verlander needed 35 pitches (19 strikes) to complete the inning, and obviously will not be returning for his scheduled second inning of work.

Ron Washington and Tony La Russa meet at home plate. (Presswire)8:06 PM: As expected, Billy Butler drew a massive, near minute long applause as the Kansas City Royals lone representative. All members of the St. Louis Cardinals, including National League manager Tony La Russa, were also greatly warmly. Derek Jeter and Chipper Jones received nice hands as well. On the flip side, yes, Robinson Cano was booed unmercifully, though not far behind was Chris Perez of the Cleveland Indians and CC Sabathia.

7:50 PM: Phillip Phillips — the reigning American Idol who is not a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, I've been informed — performed a tune before a moving tribute to the history of the Negro Leagues aired. If you haven't already, I urge you to check out the special piece from Nick Bromberg earlier today detailing Ryan Howard's visit to the Negro League Museum on Monday. So much incredible history there and a wonderful story about Howard.
Player introductions are next.
(AP)
7:27 PM: Welcome to Big League Stew's 2012 All-Star game live blog. I'll be here all night keeping you up to date on all of the latest news and happenings at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. The pre-game festivities are due to begin within the next 10-15 minutes and first pitch should come within the hour, so get comfortable and follow along with us. Also feel free to leave your predictions in the comments.