SB Nation DC - MLB All-Star Game: Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg Pitch Scoreless Innings; NL Wins, 8-0https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2012-07-11T10:05:05-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28857542012-07-11T10:05:05-04:002012-07-11T10:05:05-04:00MLB All-Star Game: Could Washington Host In 2015?
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<p>The first-place Washington Nationals were well represented at the 2012 MLB All-Star game on Tuesday night with a trio of players making an appearance. Washington could play a far more prominent role in the 2015 All-Star game. Commissioner <a target="_blank" href="http://ht.ly/ca9Y4">Bud Selig told a gathering of baseball writers that Nationals Park could be the site of that year's All-Star game</a>.</p>
<p>All-Star game locations alternated between the American and National League each year. Next year's game will take place at Citi Field in New York, home of the Mets. Target Field in Minneapolis, home of the Twins, is expected to host the 2014 game.</p>
<p>Washington is making a lobbying push to host their first Mid-Summer Classic since 1969.</p>
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<p>"[We] would love to host a future All-Star Game," Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner said in a statement to The Washington Times. "Since commissioner Selig returned baseball to Washington, the Nationals‘ ownership group has enthusiastically lobbied him to allow us to honor the game, our fans, and him, by bringing one of the national pastime's greatest fan attractions to the nation's capital. We can think of no better place to celebrate America's game than in America's city."</p>
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<p>Selig noted that the demand from teams to host the game was high.</p>
<p><i>For more on the<a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/"> </a>Washington <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> and their week at the All-Star Game, make sure to visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a>. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.</i></p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/11/3151328/mlb-all-star-game-washington-nationalsRyan Van Bibber2012-07-10T23:35:17-04:002012-07-10T23:35:17-04:00MLB All-Star Game 2012: National League Blows Out American League For 3rd Straight Win
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<p>The National League cruised to their third straight All-Star Game victory by defeating the American League 8-0 at Kauffman Stadium. The NL roughed up AL starter <span>Justin Verlander</span> in the top of the first inning, putting five runs on the board. The reigning AL Cy Young and MVP was wild and issued back-to-back walks to <span>Carlos Beltran</span> and <span>Buster Posey</span> to load the bases. Posey's teammate, <span>Pablo Sandoval</span>, cleared the bases with a triple off the right field wall the pushed the lead to 4-0.</p>
<p>Another Giant put the game out of reach in the top of the fourth, with <span>Melky Cabrera</span> taking <span>Matt Harrison</span> over the left field wall into the bullpen to make it 8-0. The two-run shot was his second hit of the night and sealed up the MVP award for Cabrera.</p>
<p>The eight-run lead allowed Tony La Russa to keep his pitching plan in tact, with the retired manager using <span>Gio Gonzalez</span> and <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> in the third and fourth innings. Both Nationals starters held the shutout, with Strasburg getting some help on a running catch by Ryan Braun in left field. <span>Bryce Harper</span> had a strikeout and a walk in his first All-Star Game. After the walk, the sensational rookie instantly made some noise when he successfully tagged up from first base on a deep fly ball to left field. But Harper's first midsummer classic <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/10/3150555/bryce-harper-all-star-game-2012-error-missed-fly-ball/in/2885754" target="_blank">may be best remembered for the amusing play when he lost the ball in the lights</a>. Like the rest of the National League, it was a good night for Washington's representatives.</p>
<p><i>For more on the<a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/"> </a>Washington <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> and their week at the All-Star Game, make sure to visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a>. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.</i></p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/10/3150708/2012-mlb-all-star-game-resultsBrendan Porath2012-07-10T22:06:46-04:002012-07-10T22:06:46-04:00ANIMATED: Bryce Harper Loses Fly Ball In All-Star Game
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<p>At the ripe old age of 19, <span>Bryce Harper</span> made his first All-Star appearance on Tuesday in the top of the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Harper drew a walk against <span>Jered Weaver</span> and then promptly tagged up and went from first to second on a deep fly out to left by Buster Posey. Harper was erased, however, when he got caught running to third on a grounder back to the pitcher.</p>
<p>But the rookie phenom made his first big mark on the game in the bottom of the inning, when he comically lost a ball in the lights. <span>Mike Napoli</span> sent one high into the Kansas City night and Harper came charging in to catch the can of corn. He never really motioned that he had lost it, but then at the very end he put his hands out in exasperation as the ball landed right behind him. It all led to this hilarious gif of goodness:</p>
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<p>After the AL loaded the bases against <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>, Harper would end the inning by securely catching an <span>Ian Kinsler</span> fly out to preserve the 8-0 lead.</p>
<p><i>For more on the<a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/"> </a>Washington <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> and their week at the All-Star Game, make sure to visit <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/" target="_blank">Federal Baseball</a>. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/10/3150555/bryce-harper-all-star-game-2012-error-missed-fly-ballBrendan Porath2012-07-10T21:42:09-04:002012-07-10T21:42:09-04:00MLB All-Star Game: Stephen Strasburg Pitches Scoreless Inning
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<p><span>Stephen Strasburg</span> followed up Gio Gonzalez's perfect inning by preserving the National League shutout in the bottom of the fourth. Strasburg gave up a lead-off single to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> <span>Robinson Cano</span>, who took a pitch right up the middle to get on base. Cano was quickly erased on a hard-hit shot up the middle by <span>Josh Hamilton</span>, but shortstop <span>Rafael Furcal</span> was playing right behind the bag and quickly stepped on second to convert a double play.</p>
<p>After walking <span>Jose Bautista</span>, Strasburg retired <span>Prince Fielder</span> on a fly out to left field. But it took an impressive running catch by Ryan Braun to end the inning, robbing Fielder of an extra base hit and keeping the eight-run lead in tact.</p>
<p>The NL pushed the lead to eight when they added three runs in the top of the fourth. A two-run rip over the left field wall and into the bullpen by <span>Melky Cabrera</span> did most of the damage.</p>
<p><i>For more on the<a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/"> </a>Washington <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> and their week at the All-Star Game, make sure to visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a>. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/10/3150515/mlb-all-star-game-live-stephen-strasburgBrendan Porath2012-07-10T21:20:42-04:002012-07-10T21:20:42-04:00MLB All-Star Game: Gio Gonzalez Pitches Perfect Inning, Holds 5-Run Lead For NL
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<p><span>Gio Gonzalez</span> was the first Washington National to make an appearance in Tuesday night's All-Star game. The Nats' starter worked an impressive 1-2-3 bottom of the third inning. Gonzalez came on in relief of starter <span>Matt Cain</span> and immediately struck out the first batter he faced -- <span>Mike Napoli</span>. He then got <span>Curtis Granderson</span> out on a harmless fly out to left and followed that up by getting his <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> teammate <span>Derek Jeter</span> to swing over the top of a pitch and chop one to the right side of the infield. It was a quick 11-pitch inning.</p>
<p>Gonzalez's work held a five-run lead for the National League, which jumped all over AL starter <span>Justin Verlander</span> in the first inning. The Senior Circuit put a five-spot on the board in the first -- the most runs they've scored in a single inning in All-Star Game history. Both Ryan Braun and <span>Pablo Sandoval</span> took Verlander to right, with the portly <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> slugger knocking in three on a bases-clearing triple.</p>
<p><i>For more on the<a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/"> </a>Washington <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> and their week at the All-Star Game, make sure to visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a>. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/10/3150466/mlb-all-star-game-liveBrendan Porath2012-07-10T19:23:11-04:002012-07-10T19:23:11-04:00MLB All-Star Game 2012: Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg To Pitch Second And Third Innings Respectively, According To Report
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<p>The Washington Nationals' young arms will get their chance during the Midsummer Classic Tuesday evening.</p>
<p>Both <span>Gio Gonzalez</span> and <span>Stephen Strasburg</span>, will pitch during the second and third innings, respectively, during the 83rd All-Star Game in Kansas City, <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamKilgoreWP/status/222827573372133376">according to the <i>Washington Post</i>'s Adam Kilgore</a>.</p>
<p>With the Nats this season, Gonzalez has started 17 games, going 12-3 with a 2.92 ERA, along with 118 striekeouts. Meanwhile, Strasburg is 9-4 with a 2.82 ERA in 17 starts, as well.</p>
<p>First pitch at Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EST on FOX. San Francisco's <span>Matt Cain</span> will start for the National League and Detroit's <span>Justin Verlander</span> will do so for the American League.</p>
<p><i>For more on the<a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/"> </a>Washington <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> and their week at the All-Star Game, make sure to visit <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/" target="_blank">Federal Baseball</a>. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/10/3150248/mlb-all-star-game-2012-gio-gonzalez-stephen-strasburg-to-pitch-duringJoey Kaufman2012-07-10T13:32:53-04:002012-07-10T13:32:53-04:00Washington D.C. Likely Host City For 2015 MLB All-Star Game, According To Report
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<p>Washington D.C. has a first place ball club at the All-Star break, and could be playing host to the festivities this time come 2015, if rumors are true. USA Today's Bob Nightengale is reporting that Nationals Park could be the next in line to host the event:</p>
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<p>Washington <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Nats">#Nats</a> most likely destination for 2015 <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523ASG">#ASG</a></p>
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) <a data-datetime="2012-07-10T16:54:18+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/222735508634214404">July 10, 2012</a>
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<p>The Nationals were in the hunt to host next year's All-Star game, but lost out to the new Citi Field in New York. While the AL and NL usually rotate hosting duties year to year, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> are trying to lobby MLB to put the 2014 game at Wrigley Field to honor that stadium's centennial. If the Cubs can't convinced Bud Selig and company to make the move, Minnesota's Target Field is the next likely destination.</p>
<p>The Washington Nationals haven't hosted an All-Star game since the franchise was moved to D.C. in 2005, and since Nationals Park opened in 2008. The Montreal Expos hosted the game once, in 1982, in Olympic Stadium.</p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/10/3149440/washington-d-c-likely-host-city-for-2015-mlb-all-star-game-accordingSteven Godfrey2012-07-10T08:46:17-04:002012-07-10T08:46:17-04:002012 MLB All-Star Game: Lineup, TV Schedule, Streaming And More
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<p>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. The Nationals will be represented by three players including <span>Bryce Harper</span>, who will be the youngest position player to ever participate in the annual game of the MLB's best.</p>
<p>Joining Harper will be pitchers <span>Gio Gonzalez</span> and <span>Stephen Strasburg</span>. Here are Tuesday's starting lineups:</p>
<p><b>American League</b></p>
<p>SS <span>Derek Jeter</span> <br>2B <span>Robinson Cano</span> <br>LF <span>Josh Hamilton</span> <br>RF <span>Jose Bautista</span> <br>1B <span>Prince Fielder</span> <br>3B <span>Adrian Beltre</span> <br>DH <span>David Ortiz</span> <br>C <span>Mike Napoli</span> <br>CF <span>Curtis Granderson</span></p>
<p>Starting Pitcher: <span>Justin Verlander</span></p>
<p><b>National League</b></p>
<p>DH <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> <br>CF <span>Melky Cabrera</span> <br>LF Ryan Braun <br>1B <span>Joey Votto</span> <br>RF <span>Carlos Beltran</span> <br>C <span>Buster Posey</span> <br>3B <span>Pablo Sandoval</span> <br>2B <span>Dan Uggla</span> <br>SS <span>Rafael Furcal</span></p>
<p>Starting Pitcher: <span>Matt Cain</span></p>
<p><i>For more on the<a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/"> </a>Washington <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> and their week at the All-Star Game, make sure to visit <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/" target="_blank">Federal Baseball</a>. Still not enough baseball for you? Head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams and the MLB All-Star Game.</i></p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/10/3148778/mlb-all-star-game-2012-lineup-tv-coverage-watch-onlineAdam Stites