MLB All-Star Game 2012 Final Score: N.L. Crushes A.L., 8-0

The National League might just get used to this winning thing. After losing 12 straight MLB All-Star games between 1997 and 2009, the N.L. claimed their third straight victory with an 8-0 drubbing of the A.L. in Kansas City. The eight runs was also the most scored by a single team since the A.L. put up nine runs in 2004, and the margin of victory was the greatest in an All-Star game since the A.L. won 13-3 in 1983.

The N.L. got it started early, putting up five runs off A.L. starter and reinging Cy Young winner Justin Verlander in the top of the first inning. Ryan Braun kicked off the barrage of runs with a double to score Melky Cabrera, but it was Pablo Sandoval who delivered the big blast, scoring Braun, Carlos Beltran and Buster Posey with a bases-clearing triple. The inning's fifth run came on a Dan Uggla single.

After two innings of silence, the N.L. put up three more runs in the fourth inning off Texas Rangers starter Matt Harrison. Matt Holliday plated teammate Rafael Furcal with a single and then eventual MVP Cabrera knocked a two-run homer to left to score Holliday and make it 8-0.

Rockies All-Star Carlos Gonzalez led-off for the N.L. but missed out on all the fun. CarGo struck out vs. Verlander to begin the game and then grounded out vs. Joe Nathan to begin the second inning.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: OF Carlos Gonzalez Ready For All-Star Pitching

Colorado Rockies fans will have the distinct pleasure of watching their very own OF Carlos Gonzalez leading off for the National League All-Stars on Tuesday night's All-Star Game. Gonzalez, whom the Rockies acquired in 2008 for OF Matt Holliday, has blossomed from 15 to 20 home run hitter in the minors to a 25 to 35 home run hitter over the past three major league seasons.

And though he will be hitting leadoff for the NL team, he knows the pitchers will do whatever they can to keep him from going deep:

"I just want to help my team any possible way. I know it's more difficult than before. Pitchers are not pitching me the same way. They're not around the plate a lot. It's hard to hit a homer right now. I haven't seen any good pitches around the strike zone. I haven't seen any mistakes. But you've seen that I can put the ball in play, getting some hits, grinding and getting on base for my guys."

The 2012 All-Star Game begins at 6:15 p.m. MDT on Tuesday night.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

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

Colorado Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez had a disappointing showing in the 2012 Home Run Derby, but he'll get a chance to redeem himself on the national stage when he takes the field at the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. Well, to be precise, Gonzalez won't actually be taking the field, as CarGo is getting the start for the National League at DH. But he is leading off to start the game, and will get a crack at Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander and, almost certainly, a pitcher to be determined later.

The National League will start San Francisco Giants righty Matt Cain, with whom CarGo and Rockies fans are more than familiar.

For the NL's full starting lineup, click here.

Game date/time: Tuesday, July 10, 6:00 p.m. MT

Location: Kauffman Stadium, Kasnas City, Mo.

TV: Fox

Streaming: MLB.com

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Lineup: Carlos Gonzalez Hitting Leadoff As DH

Colorado Rockies fans got a pleasant surprise on Monday afternoon when Jon Morosi of FOX Sports announced that OF Carlos Gonzalez would be not only starting for the National League team, but hitting leadoff as the squad's designated hitter:

#NL #ASG lineup: Gonzalez DH Cabrera Braun Votto Beltran Posey Sandoval Uggla Furcal Cain

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 9, 2012

Gonzalez earned All-Star reserve honors when the NL team manager, the retired Tony La Russa, selected him for the bench. CarGo owns a monstrous .330/.389/.578 slash like with 17 homers and 11 steals through the first half of the season.

His selection in 2012 marks the first time he will appear in an All-Star Game, and he will be the Rockies' lone representative to the event.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

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

The Colorado Rockies will be represented by outfielder Carlos Gonzalez in Monday night's Home Run Derby. It's Gonzalez's first-ever appearance in the competition.

The participants:

National League
Matt Kemp (team captain)
Carlos Beltran
Carlos Gonzalez
Andrew McCutchen

Related: 2012 MLB Home Run Derby: Carlos Gonzalez Faces Longest Odds

American League
Robinson Cano (team captain)
Jose Bautista
Prince Fielder
Mark Trumbo

Cano won the event in 2011, while Fielder took the honors in 2009. Both Jose Bautista and Matt Kemp competed in 2011; the other four are derby rookies.

Gonzalez has 17 home runs this season, which is tied for the fourth most in the National League.

HR Derby Date & Time: Monday, July 9, 6:00 p.m. MT

TV: ESPN

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Rockies, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB Home Run Derby: Carlos Gonzalez Faces Longest Odds

MLB All-Star Game Voting Results: What About Matt Belisle?

No one is going to argue with the inclusion of Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez in the 2012 MLB All-Star game. Gonzalez is hitting .337/.394/.604 this year, and his first All-Star selection is deserved. But were any Rockies snubbed? What about reliever Matt Belisle?

As Andrew Martin of SB Nation's Rockies blog Purple Row notes, Belisle has been rather amazing this year, posting a 1.88 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio that is approaching five. Going by WAR, he's either been the best or third best reliever in the National League so far this season, depending on whether you prefer Baseball Reference's version of the measure or the one done by Fangraphs.

Martin also notes that it's hard to call Belisle a snub, since he's far from a household name -- even by a relief pitcher's standards. He's also pitching for one of the worst teams in the National League, and teams as bad as the Rockies rarely get multiple All-Star bids, especially for a non-closing reliever. That said, Belisle has had a fantastic season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB Home Run Derby: Carlos Gonzalez Will Compete, Represent Colorado Rockies

Carlos Gonzalez is going to the 2012 Home Run Derby. The Colorado Rockies slugger was named to Matt Kemp's National League team on Sunday, joining the Dodgers star and Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins. Gonzalez is the first member of the Rockies to compete in the event since Matt Holliday in 2007.

Related: 2012 MLB All-Star Game Rosters: Carlos Gonzalez Rockies' Lone Representative

Here's what Gonzalez had to say about his strategy entering the event:

"I am going to swing hard for the streets," Gonzalez told The Post, when confirming his entrance in the derby . "I am excited to get out there."

Gonzalez, a 26-year old left fielder, has 17 homers for Colorado this season. He clubbed 34 homers for the Rockies in 2010 and finished with 26 homers in 2011.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Rosters: Carlos Gonzalez Rockies' Lone Representative

Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has made the 2012 National League All-Star Game Roster. This is first All-Star Game selection. Though he did not make it in as starter, Gonzalez was a reserve selection by since-retired but former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.

Entering Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres, Gonzalez is hitting .337/.394/.604 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI. All three numbers in his triple-slash line are better than his 2010 season line, which saw him finish in third place for the N.L. M.V.P. award. He currently has half the amount of home runs he had that season and it certainly isn't out of the realm of possibility for him to beat 34 by the end of the season.

Troy Tulowitzki had been the leading vote-getter at shortstop during the first several announcements of voting, but he eventually dropped out of the position. Injury, as well, has sidelined him until some time later in August.

Reliever Matt Belisle had a compelling case with a 1.93 ERA in 39 appearances. But having Colorado pitchers in an All-Star Game appears to be anathema against the spirit of the event.

Rosters can be found here.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show: Time, TV Schedule And More

The 2012 MLB All-Star Game is just around the corner, and with that comes the much-anticipated announcement of the 2012 All-Start rosters. SS Troy Tulowitzki, despite his presently-injured status, ranks as one of the National League's top vote-getting shortstops and has a strong chance to make the roster -- even if he cannot play in the game.

Colorado Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez also has received a strong show of support from the fans, but the voting results will remain hidden until the Sunday afternoon special -- the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell -- on TBS, which will be followed by a broadcast of the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees game.

Here are the details for the event:

Channel: TBS

Time: 11:00 a.m. MDT, Sunday, July 1

First Pitch: 12:00 p.m MDT

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

MLB All-Star Game Voting 2012: Troy Tulowitzki Loses Lead For NL Starting SS Spot

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has been sitting out since May 30 due to injury, and St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal finally passed him in National League shortstop voting for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. Tulowitzki created early separation from Starlin Castro, Jimmy Rollins and Brandon Crawford, but he never quite pulled away from Furcal and now sits roughly 94,000 votes behind the Cardinals SS.

Here is the latest voting count from June 19, via MLB.com:

SHORTSTOP

Rafael Furcal, Cardinals: 1,741,360
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 1,647,235
Starlin Castro, Cubs: 1,006,333
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: 983,520
Brandon Crawford, Giants: 935,216

The 2012 rosters will be unveiled on the 2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, which will air on TBS July 1. The eight position player starters will be determined by the fan vote in the NL, while pitchers and reserves will be determined according to Player Ballot choices and selections made by the two All-Star managers (Ron Washington and Tony La Russa), in conjunction with MLB.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Voting: Carlos Gonzalez Ranks 10th Among NL Outfielders

Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has moved up three spots and now ranks 10th among NL outfielders in the 2012 MLB All-Star game vote.

Gonzalez crept from 13th place to 10th, though he still is likely to make the team in the player voting or as the Rockies’ potential lone representative. Gonzalez has 728,903 votes. Matt Kemp is the top vote-getter among outfielders followed by Carlos Beltran and Ryan Braun (1,553,356).

Related: Know Your Foe #21: White-Cleated Athletics Visit Coors Field for the First Time Since 2006

Gonzalez leads the NL in runs scored and total bases, and he's second in home runs with 16. His 1.014 OPS ranks third behind Joey Votto and David Wright.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All Star Game: Matt Kemp Leads All NL Players In Voting

At the moment, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Matt Kemp is the only player from the NL West other than Troy Tulowitzki that's on pace to start in the 2012 All Star Game, but he's done his part as the National League's leading vote-getter thus far.

With 1,952,910 votes as of June 5, only the Rangers' Josh Hamilton has received more support from fans than Kemp so far. The NL outfielder with the second-most votes, St. Louis right fielder Carlos Beltran, is trailing Kemp by over 700,000 votes, making it highly likely that the L.A. center fielder will be one of the marquee attractions at next month's event.

Other than Kemp and Tulowitzki, no other NL West player is on pace to land a starting gig in the big game. The San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey is second in voting at catcher behind the Cardinals' Yadier Molina and Posey's teammate Pablo Sandoval is fourth in voting at third base. LA's Andre Ethier is fourth in voting among outfielders.

Voting closes on June 28 while the actual All Star Game goes down on July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. If you want to join in the voting process, check out the ballot here.

For more on Troy Tulowitzki and the Colorado Rockies, head over to Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All Star Game: Troy Tulowitzki Leading NL Shortstops In Voting By Small Margin

Troy Tulowitzki is currently leading the race to start at shortstop for the NL in the 2012 MLB All Star Game.