SB Nation Denver - 2012 MLB All-Star Game: N.L. Squad Shuts Out A.L., 8-0

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

2012-07-11T04:29:00Z

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

2012-07-10T19:51:54Z

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.

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

2012-07-10T12:00:31Z

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

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

2012-07-09T17:57:11Z

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.

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

2012-07-09T12:00:49Z

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

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

2012-07-04T14:00:51Z

Carlos Gonzalez has 77 home runs over the last 2.5 seasons for the Colorado Rockies, but he's still not getting much respect from the oddsmakers as the 2012 MLB Home Run Derby nears. Gonzalez, who was recently selected to compete on Matt Kemp's National League squad, has the longest odds to win the derby according to Bovada.

	Jose Bautista (Blue Jays)	7/2
	Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins)	4/1
	Prince Fielder (Tigers)	5/1
	Carlos Beltran (Cardinals)	11/2
	Robinson Cano (Yankees)	11/2
	Mark Trumbo (Angels)	6/1
	Matt Kemp (Dodgers)	6/1
	Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies)	13/2

Jose Bautista leads the majors in home runs with 27, so it's no surprise the Toronto Blue Jays' slugger comes away with the best odds. The 31-year old Bautista finished with a career-high 54 homers for the Blue Jays in 2010.

Fans are also excited to watch Giancarlo Stanton take his cuts. The young outfielder has hit some tape measure shots this season for the Miami Marlins.

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

2012-07-02T14:33:50Z

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.

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

2012-07-02T00:26:30Z

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.

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.