Joe Maddon Books Flight For Wrong Day, Scrambles To Return From All-Star Break

2012 MLB All-Star Game: National League Routs American League For 3rd Straight Win

The National League clinched their third straight All-Star game on Tuesday night by defeating the American League 8-0 at Kauffman Stadium. It was the first midsummer classic shutout since 1996.

The NL took a big lead in the first inning by putting a five-spot on the board against Justin Verlander. The reigning AL Cy Young and MVP was hammered by the Senior Circuit, and didn't help himself when he issued back-to-back walks to Carlos Beltran and Buster Posey. The Giants' Pablo Sandoval then ripped a bases-clearing triple to right to push the lead to 4-0.

In the top of the fourth, the NL added three more with another Giant, Melky Cabrera, doing most of the damage. Cabrera took a Matt Harrison pitch over the left field wall and into the bullpen to make it 8-0. The rout was on and the NL pitching staff simply cruised from there.

While the AL was crushed, the two Rays representatives were impressive. David Price pitched a quick 1-2-3 inning in the third. He retired the side on just seven pitches. Fernando Rodney then came on in the top of the ninth, as planned, and started throwing smoke. He got Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce, and Bryan LaHair to all ground out in an easy inning.

For more on the Tampa Bay Rays during the All-Star Break, make sure to visit DRaysBay. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to Baseball Nation for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: David Price Throws Just 7 Pitches In Easy Inning

The Rays' David Price was the first Tampa player to make an appearance in Tuesday night's All-Star Game, he it was a quick night for the ace. Price retired the National League in order in the top of the third, throwing just seven pitches against Joey Votto, Carlos Beltran, and Buster Posey. Price got Votto to ground out to third and then Beltran swung at the first pitch and hit a can of corn to right. The short inning ended on a three-pitch at-bat by Posey, with the Giants catcher fouling out to the catcher.

Price's easy inning was a stark contrast from AL starter Justin Verlander, who was roughed up in the top of the first. The NL put five runs on the board against the reigning AL Cy Young and MVP, with much of the damage coming on a bases-clearing triple by Pablo Sandoval that scored three. The AL now trails 8-0 in an early blowout.

For more on the Tampa Bay Rays during the All-Star Break, make sure to visit DRaysBay. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to Baseball Nation for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig Calls Tampa Bay Rays Attendance 'Inexcusable'

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

The 2012 MLB All-Star game will be live from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday night. Fox will carry the broadcast beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. While the Marlins will not have representation in the game after Giancarlo Stanton withdrew, the Rays will have two players in the game with David Price and Fernando Rodney suiting up for Ron Washington and the AL. The complete starting lineups:

American League

SS Derek Jeter
2B Robinson Cano
LF Josh Hamilton
RF Jose Bautista
1B Prince Fielder
3B Adrian Beltre
DH David Ortiz
C Mike Napoli
CF Curtis Granderson

Starting Pitcher: Justin Verlander

National League

DH Carlos Gonzalez
CF Melky Cabrera
LF Ryan Braun
1B Joey Votto
RF Carlos Beltran
C Buster Posey
3B Pablo Sandoval
2B Dan Uggla
SS Rafael Furcal

Starting Pitcher: Matt Cain

For more on the Tampa Bay Rays during the All-Star Break, make sure to visit DRaysBay. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to Baseball Nation for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.

MLB Home Run Derby: Prince Fielder Wins 2nd Derby

Prince Fielder joined Ken Griffey, Jr. as the only other two-time winner of the Home Run Derby on Tuesday night. Fielder stole the show over the final two rounds to become the first player to ever win the Derby as a member of both the American and National League. Fielder just barely made it out of the first round, golfing one out to advance with five homers. He would eventually face off against Jose Bautista in the finals and would continue raking into the right field bleachers, matching the longest blast of the night with a 476 footer.

Andrew McCutchen, who filled in for Miami's Giancarlo Stanton, did not make it out of the first round after hitting just four homers. Complete results of the 2012 Derby below:

Final Round

Prince Fielder 12
Jose Bautista 7

Two-Round Totals

Prince Fielder 16
Jose Bautista 13
Mark Trumbo 13
Carlos Beltran 12

First Round

Jose Bautista 11
Carlos Beltran 7
Mark Trumbo 7
Prince Fielder 5
Carlos Gonzalez 4
Andrew McCutchen 4
Matt Kemp 1
Robinson Cano 0

For more on the Tampa Bay Rays during the All-Star Break, make sure to visit DRaysBay. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to Baseball Nation for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.

Logan Morrison Spends Emo Evening Watching Home Run Derby

MLB All-Star Game 2012: Miami Marlins Not Happy About Lack Of Representation

The Miami Marlins will not be represented at the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star game. Outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was originally named as the team's lone representative, but he had to pull out because of injury concerns with his knee. MLB replaced him with Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, leaving the Marlins a little upset.

Marlins team president David Samson complained about the team's lack of representation to the Palm Beach Post.

"There were a lot of different ways that Tony or MLB could have gone. I think it's unfortunate. I think that every team shouod be presented on the line at the all star game. I just think that all teams are supposed to be represented and if our guy had to have surgery, he had to have surgery.

"Obviously it has been a disappointing first half. That said, there are plenty of other teams that have had disappointing first halves and have plenty of all stars."

How about it? Does Samson have a case here?

For more on the Marlins, visit Fish Stripes, then head over to Baseball Nation for all the latest from all 30 MLB teams as the division races heat up.

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

Major League Baseball kicked off All-Star festivities on Sunday with the Futures Game, showcasing the game's rising young stars. On Monday night the pageantry continues as some of the biggest names in the game try to hit batting practice pitches over the fence in the name of charity and entertainment.

Four players from each league will battle it out in Monday's Home Run Derby. The American League's team features Robinson Cano, Prince Fielder, Jose Bautista and Mark Trumbo. The senior circuit will be represented by Matt Kemp, Carlos Gonzalez, Carlos Beltran and Andrew McCutchen.

Each player gets ten "outs" per round, an out being any ball that does not go for a home run. Players advance through the rounds, with one hitter from each league facing off in the final round. In between their turns at the plate, players will be able to share the banality of the experience via social media at designated social media stations on the field.

The Home Run Derby starts at 8 p.m. Eastern. Fans can watch it on ESPN.

For more on the Marlins, visit Fish Stripes. For the latest on the Rays, head over toDRaysBay. Still not enough baseball coverage for you? Then head over to Baseball Nationfor all the latest from all 30 MLB teams as the division races heat up.

2012 MLB Futures Game Final: U.S. Team Defeats World Team, 17-5

The best young baseball players from the United States took on the best young players from around the world on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Sunday afternoon for the 2012 MLB Futures Game and in the end, the USA team took home the victory with a 17-5 thrashing of the World Team.

Nick Castellanos, a Detroit Tigers prospect, was named MVP of the game. He belted a three-run homerun in the sixth inning in which the U.S. team put up nine runs total in the frame. 13 U.S. players registered at least one run, RBI or both in the game as they cranked out 17 hits against the World team pitchers in the game with seven of those going for extra bases.

For more on the Marlins, visit Fish Stripes. For the latest on the Rays, head over toDRaysBay. Still not enough baseball coverage for you? Then head over to Baseball Nationfor all the latest from all 30 MLB teams as the division races heat up.

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

Before the big leaguers come to town on Monday, Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City will kick off MLB All-Star Weekend with the annual showcase of the games top prospects known as the Futures Game. The exhibition game, increasing in popularity each year, will pit the U.S. versus the World.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins will each have two prospects participating. For the Rays, left-handers Felipe Rivero and Enny Romero will suit up for the World team. Representing the Marlins will be outfielder Christian Yelich for the U.S. squad and pitcher Jose Hernandez for the World team.

Here is what you need to know for Sunday's game:

Game date/time: Sunday, July 8, 5:00 p.m. EST

Location: Kaufmann Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

TV: ESPN2

Stream: MLB.com

For more on the Marlins, visit Fish Stripes. For the latest on the Rays, head over to DRaysBay. Still not enough baseball coverage for you? Then head over to Baseball Nationfor all the latest from all 30 MLB teams as the division races heat up.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: Giancarlo Stanton To Miss Midsummer Classic

Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was hoping that his injured right knee wouldn't keep him from participating in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game festivities next week in Kansas City. Unfortunately, his troublesome knee will keep him out after all.

Stanton reaggravated the injury to his knee on Saturday during the Marlins game with the St. Louis Cardinals and was forced to leave after just two innings. According to an ESPN report, Stanton will undergo arthoscopic surgery on Sunday and could miss up to a month.

Replacing Stanton on the National League team will be Washington Nationals 19-year-old outfielder, Bryce Harper. Harper being made an All-Star makes him the youngest position player in MLB history to make the team and the third youngest overall.

For more on the Marlins, visit Fish Stripes, then head over to Baseball Nation for all the latest from all 30 MLB teams as the division races heat up.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: Giancarlo Stanton Unsure Of Status For Festivities, According To Reports

Giancarlo Stanton's recent knee injury has put his status in the near future, including the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, in jeopardy.

The Miami Herald is reporting that Stanton is holding out hope that his knee will hold up enough so that he can play for the Marlins this weekend, and then take part in the All-Star Festivities on Monday and Tuesday. A recent MRI showed that Stanton has a "loose body" of either bone or cartilage in his knee, causing him to miss the last four games.

A report Friday night by Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post said that Stanton expects to play Saturday, which is an encouraging sign for his status for the All-Star Game.

For more on the Marlins, visit Fish Stripes. For the latest on the Rays, head over to DRaysBay. Still not enough baseball coverage for you? Then head over to Baseball Nation for all the latest from all 30 MLB teams as the division races heat up.

MLB All-Star Weekend 2012: TV Schedule Of Events

With the first half of the 2012 MLB season wrapping up, the attention of baseball fans begins to turn toward the festivities of the All-Star Weekend. There is plenty for fans of Florida teams to be excited for, including the Futures Game in which Marlins and Rays prospects will play, the Home Run Derby that will feature Giancarlo Stanton, and the All-Star Game itself. Here is a handy schedule for reference.

Sunday July 8

SiriusXM Futures Game- 5 p.m. ET. on ESPN2

Monday July 9

State Farm Home Run Derby- 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrities Softball Game- 11 p.m. ESPN (Tape Delay)

Tuesday July 10

All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet- 2 p.m. ET on MLB Network
83rd MLB All Star Game- 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX

For more on the Marlins, visit Fish Stripes. For the latest on the Rays, head over to DRaysBay. Still not enough baseball coverage for you? Then head over to Baseball Nation for all the latest from all 30 MLB teams as the division races heat up.

MLB All-Star Game Voting Results: Rays, Marlins Selections Applauded

A pair of pitchers from the Tampa Bay Rays, David Price and Fernando Rodney, will be representing their team in the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. While the All-Star game can often be a mixed bag for fans, it is an honor for the players and provides a little mid-summer entertainment. Fans of the teams with players in the All-Star game can take some delight in their recognition as well.

At D Rays Bay, SB Nation's Rays site, Steve Slowinski reacted to the news:

So kudos to Price and Rodney, as they both heartily deserve this. Rodney has been the second best reliever in the American League, just trailing Joe Nathan in both WAR and FIP by a smidge -- and Price has the 5th lowest ERA in the AL (although his 3.41 FIP isn't quite as good). The Rays haven't had many bright spots this season, but we sure can't blame either of these two for the team's struggles.

Also, if you pause and think about it for a second, Rodney making the All-Star Game is a little bit unreal. Coming into the season, what were the odds that he'd be even a serviceable reliever, nonetheless one of the top three in the American League? It's been an absolutely unreal season.

The Miami Marlins have one player appearing the game, outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. At Fish Stripes, SB Nation's Marlins blog, Stanton's selection was praised.

Stanton's selection is the first of his career and it is a well deserved one. Through yesterday, Stanton is hitting .282/.362/.554 on the season, good for a .391 wOBA that ranks 18th in the league. In addition, Stanton has been solid defensively after some early season struggles, as many of the zone statistics once again rate him as a positive in 2012. Each of the major Wins Above Replacement (WAR) metrics have Stanton at around 3.0 WAR this season, which puts him on pace for a five-win campaign that would best his 2011 season.

The All-Star game is set for July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

For more on the Marlins, visit Fish Stripes. For the latest on the Rays, head over to DRaysBay. Still not enough baseball coverage for you? Then head over to Baseball Nation for all the latest from all 30 MLB teams as the division races heat up.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Rosters: Giancarlo Stanton, David Price And Fernando Rodney Among Selections

Three players from the Sunshine State will be heading to Kansas CIty to play in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game on June 10.

Home Run Derby To Feature Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton

22-year old Miami Marlins power hitter Giancarlo Stanton will reportedly participate in the 2012 Home Run Derby on Monday, July 9.