It’s safe to assume the first inning of the 2012 MLB All-Star Game probably didn’t go as Justin Verlander would’ve liked.
Verlander allowed five runs on four hits as the NL took a 5-0 lead over the AL after a half inning in Kansas City.
Verlander’s first pitch of the game zoomed in to Carlos Gonzalez at 97 miles-per-hour. His third pitch hit 98 and Gonzalez sent his bat flying over the AL dugout. The next pitch sent Gonzalez down swinging with that vintage Verlander curveball.
The bid for the no-hitter, though, was smashed on his first pitch to Melky Cabrera, who dished a single to left. Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun, the reigning NL MVP, took Verlander off the wall in right for an RBI double over the head of Jose Bautista. Verlander, though, responded by buckling Joey Votto with another curveball to strike him out.
On a pitch to the next batter, Carlos Beltran, Verlander hit 100 on the radar gun but walked him on a pitch that hit 101.
Verlander missed on consecutive 100 mph fastballs to Buster Posey, drawing Mike Maddux out of the dugout for a chat. He missed on the next two, walking Posey to load the bases.
That brought up Pablo Sandoval, who hit one off the base of the wall down the right field line, scooting in with a 3-run triple. Dan Uggla was up next and hit one into the hole at short. Derek Jeter tried to make his usual play, but his throw bounced and Uggla beat it out for an RBI infield single.
Verlander got Rafael Furcal to bounce into a fielder’s choice to end the onslaught.
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