San Francisco Giants’ teammates Melky Cabrera and Pablo Sandoval delivered big hits early, as the National League shutout the American League 8-0 in the 2012 MLB All-Star game Tuesday night in Kansas City.

Cabrera singled and scored off Detroit Tigers’ pitcher Justin Verlander in the first inning, before Sandoval victimized Verlander later in the frame for the first bases-loaded triple in All-Star history. The NL made it 5-0 when Atlanta Braves’ second baseman Dan Uggla singled in Sandoval.

NL starter Matt Cain of the Giants and Washington Nationals’ pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg kept the AL from scoring early, as the NL added three more runs in the fourth inning, including a two-run home run by Cabrera. Eleven National League pitchers combined on the six-hit shutout, the first in the All-Star game since 1996.

Cabrera had two hits, two runs and two runs batted in and was named the game’s MVP. Milwaukee Brewers’ outfielder Ryan Braun doubled and tripled for the NL, which registered its first three-game winning streak in 20 years. As a result of the victory, the National League champions will have home field advantage in this fall’s World Series.

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