The Cardinals' Albert Pujols will start at first base in the 80th All-Star Game on July 14 in St. Louis.
But don't think home cooking had anything to do with it. The current NL most valuable player is leading the majors with 31 homers and 82 RBIs, so it's no surprise he led the voting for the starters, announced yesterday.
In fact, the slugger's 5,397,374 votes were the second-most in major-league history, trailing only Ken Griffey Jr.'s 6,079,688 in 1994.
Pujols has made the NL team eight times and will make his sixth start.
But the power of the big-market ballot undoubtedly helped the slump-ridden and injury-riddled Mets lead the NL with four selections. Centerfielder Carlos Beltran and third baseman David Wright were elected by the fans, but Beltran has been out with a bruised right knee and likely won't play. New York ace Johan Santana and closer Francisco Rodriguez were selected by the players.
As usual, there were a few notable snubs: Astros first baseman Lance Berkman, Brewers righthander Yovani Gallardo, and Nationals slugger Adam Dunn were omitted.
One spot remains to be determined on each 33-man roster, which was enlarged by one from last year. The NL candidates in online voting are Shane Victorino, Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds, Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval, and Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman.
It's the pitching, Braun says
After his team suffered an 8-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee all-star outfielder Ryan Braun said the Brewers' pitching needs improvement.
"No matter who is in there, we have to find a way to throw the ball better for us to have success," said the newly named all-star. "I think when you're constantly behind in games, it's not easy and it's not fun. Their starting pitcher was clearly better than ours this series."
So was the hitting, a point Braun also admitted.
Hurtin' Unit
Giants lefthander Randy Johnson left yesterday's game against the Astros with an apparent left-shoulder injury after committing a throwing error in the top of the fourth inning. Johnson, who has 303 career victories, threw a ball down the right-field line on pitcher Roy Oswalt's soft grounder back to the mound and was immediately removed from the game.
While batting against Oswalt in the bottom of the third, Johnson had grabbed his shoulder after taking an awkward swing in striking out.
Noteworthy
San Diego traded outfielder Scott Hairston to Oakland for minor-league righthanders Ryan Webb and Craig Italiano, plus a player to be named. . . . The Marlins placed righthander Chris Leroux on the 15-day disabled list with right-shoulder inflammation and signed reliever Brendan Donnelly.
Contact staff writer Don McKee at 215-854-4611
or dmckee@phillynews.com.
This article contains information from the Associated Press.
