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AL Voting Gets Closer As All-Star Game Approaches
Mauer (1,632,338 votes), who has an edge for the second straight week, leads Boston?s Jason Varitek (1,487,390) by less than 145,000 votes. On the right side of the infield, the pair of Red Sox continues to hang on in their bids to make their Midsummer Classic debuts; Youkilis (1,915,376) is in front of Minnesota?s Justin Morneau (1,641,467) at first base and Pedroia (1,669,216) is outpacing Ian Kinsler (1,485,530) of the Texas Rangers at second. Suzuki, an A.L. All-Star in each of his seven Major League seasons and a fan-elected starter six times, leads a crowded pack in contention for the final starting outfield position with 1,397,460 votes. Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero is fourth with 1,187,273 votes. The two leading American League vote-getters comprise the left side of the infield of the host New York Yankees. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who was Major League Baseball?s most popular choice in last year?s All-Star balloting, has vaulted to the top of this year?s A.L. totals for the first time with 2,518,067 votes. Right behind him is his teammate, shortstop Derek Jeter, with 2,507,534 votes. Rounding out the top five most popular American Leaguers are designated hitter David Ortiz (2,482,981) and outfielder Manny Ramirez (2,409,388) of the Red Sox along with Major League Baseball?s RBI leader, outfielder Josh Hamilton (2,327,467) of the Rangers. Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Mauer Overtakes Varitek In AL Balloting
Mauer, a 2006 A.L. All-Star, has collected a total of 1,178,630 votes, vaulting him slightly ahead of Boston Red Sox backstop Jason Varitek (1,133,855), who had led from the outset of this year?s balloting. The next tightest competition is at second base, where Boston?s Dustin Pedroia (1,286,962 votes) has maintained the top slot that he has held throughout the balloting process. Pedroia is trying to stave off surging Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (1,120,439) as both vie to earn their first All-Star Game invitations. New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (1,988,251), an eight-time A.L. All-Star, has moved to the front of a crowded pack to become the American League?s leading vote-getter. Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (1,982,786) is right behind the New York captain. Jeter and Ortiz are followed by Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (1,940,827), who was Major League Baseball?s overall leading vote-getter in last year?s balloting, and Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, whose 1,917,207 votes make him a candidate for his 12th A.L. All-Star selection. Outfielder Josh Hamilton (1,791,623) of the Rangers trails only Ramirez among A.L. outfielders, making him well positioned to start in the Midsummer Classic in just his second Major League season. Seven-time A.L. All-Star Ichiro Suzuki (1,120,279) of the Seattle Mariners is currently in line to be a fan-elected starter for the sixth time in his Major League career, but Vladimir Guerrero (933,191) of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Bobby Abreu (908,935) of the Yankees are among the A.L. outfielders who are still within reach. At first base, Kevin Youkilis (1,482,011) of the Red Sox hangs on to an edge over Justin Morneau (1,214,603) of the Twins. Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Twins' Baker Strikes Out Four In One Inning
He became the first Twin to accomplish the feat in team history. Baker started the inning by striking out Ryan Braun, then got Prince Fielder to strike out, but he reached first base when the ball got past catcher Mike Redmond. Baker then struck out Russell Branyan and Mike Cameron looking on three pitches apiece to end the inning. Minnesota Twins Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Twins Jun 2008 Archive
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Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, Boston Red Sox teammates Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia and Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who is vying for the third starting outfield slot, cling to tight leads in the AL All-Star race.
Minnesota starter Scott Baker struck out four Brewers in the third inning on Sunday, according to The Associated Press.