Sports

Sandoval, Cabrera turn All-Star game into NL romp

Photo: Christine Zalewski, Photos.com

Jul 11, 2012 at 7:07 am

KANSAS CITY, MO (AP) — Pablo Sandoval and Melky Cabrera keyed a five-run blitz against Justin Verlander in the first inning Tuesday night, and the National League romped to an 8-0 win over the American League and its third straight All-Star game victory.

Giants teammate Matt Cain started a strong NL pitching performance, combining with 10 relievers on a six-hitter that extended the American League's scoreless streak to 14 innings — its longest since 1995-97.

Sandoval hit the first bases-loaded triple in an All-Star game, and Ryan Braun and Dan Uggla also drove in runs against Verlander, who couldn't control his 100 mph heat.

Cabrera singled and scored the first run, then hit a two-run homer against Matt Harrison in the fourth as the NL rolled to the third-largest margin of victory in All-Star history.

Joe Mauer, the Minnesota Twins lone representative, went 1-for-1 with a sharp single rapped back up the middle of the diamond.