Baseball, Mlb All-star Game | featured news

Pablo Sandoval hit a bases-loaded triple off Justin Verlander during a five-run first inning, and the National League romped to an 8-0 victory over the American League in the All-Star game Tuesday night.

Alex Rodriguez has pulled out of the All-Star game, joining his New York Yankees' teammates Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera in missing the midsummer classic. Rodriguez was elected by the fans to his 14th All-Star appearance. He is nursing a sore right knee. A-Rod is being held out of Friday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays and was sent for an MRI.

Jordin Sparks sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl in 2008 and for President Barack Obama this week, and now she'll perform it for baseball fans.

Brian McCann, Scott Rolen or Heath Bell might really appreciate what happened on this July night come October. Charlie Manuel, too. An All-Star win the National League thought was long overdue. And with it, home-field advantage in the World Series.

AL MVP catcher Joe Mauer was the fan's favorite with 5,372,606 votes, the third- highest total ever. Albert Pujols earned the most votes in the National League.