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SPORTS Tuesday 10 July 2018
AL outfield grabs attention as All-Star rosters announced

By JAY COHEN, AP Sports the start in his home ball- each won a close race at
Writer park. their position in fan ballot-
Mike Trout, Aaron Judge “That’d be an unbeliev- ing. Braves first baseman
and Mookie Betts form able experience,” he said Freddie Freeman, Colora-
a dream outfield for the in an interview on ESPN. do Rockies third baseman
American League. Bryce Nationals shortstop Trea Nolan Arenado and Giants
Harper and Max Scherzer Turner could join Scherzer shortstop Brandon Craw-
make up a not-so-gracious and Co. if he wins the on- ford round out the NL start-
welcome committee for line vote for the 32nd and ing lineup.
the NL. final NL roster spot. Brewers “My first reaction was like,
Power in the center of pow- first baseman Jesus Aguilar, ‘I have no words to say,’”
er. A capital-sized All-Star Giants first baseman Bran- Contreras said, “but I start-
Game. don Belt, Cardinals infielder ed crying when I went
Baseball unveiled the ros- Matt Carpenter and Dodg- down to the cage because
ters for its midsummer show- ers infielder Max Muncy I hoped for it and I’ve been
case Sunday night, featur- also are in the mix. working hard every single
ing an imposing AL lineup “Very excited to represent game that I’ve played and
and Harper starting at his the Nationals in D.C.,” Harp- played it like it was my last
home ballpark in Washing- er said. “Looking forward one.”
ton. to this week to hopefully As usual, there were some
Reigning AL MVP Jose Al- get one of our other team- notable snubs — with sev-
tuve was one of five All- mates in there as well.” eral changes surely com-
Stars from the World Series Candidates for the final AL ing due to injuries and with-
champion Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox’s Mookie Betts slides home to score on a slot are Red Sox outfielder drawals.
matching the Boston Red sacrifice fly by Steve Pearce during the third inning of a baseball Andrew Benintendi, Twins Tampa Bay left-hander
Sox and Cleveland Indi- game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, July 8, 2018, in outfielder Eddie Rosario, Blake Snell, who is 12-4 with
ans for most in the majors. Kansas City, Mo. Associated Press Mariners shortstop Jean an AL-best 2.09 ERA, was
The New York Yankees and Segura, Angels shortstop the most incomprehensible
Atlanta Braves each had said. “I’m definitely excited baseman Jose Ramirez, Andrelton Simmons and omission. Houston right-
four, including rookie Gley- about the opportunity and Red Sox designated hitter Yankees slugger Giancarlo hander Charlie Morton and
ber Torres from the Bronx appreciative of having that J.D. Martinez and Tampa Stanton. “It’s something Oakland Athletics infielder
Bombers and fellow sec- opportunity.” Bay Rays catcher Wilson I’ve watched for a long Jed Lowrie were also left
ond baseman Ozzie Albies Trout is working on perhaps Ramos round out the AL’s time. To be a part of it out despite worthy cre-
from the surprising Braves. the best season of his stel- starting lineup. would be pretty cool,” Be- dentials. The Philadelphia
“It’s fun. You’re playing lar career with the Los An- “The best part is being with nintendi said. Phillies, percentage points
but you’re looking around geles Angels. Judge has 25 all the guys. You’re on the Markakis and Matt Kemp ahead of the Braves for
because you’re playing homers and 58 RBIs for the biggest stage with the will join Harper in the NL out- the NL East lead, had only
with all those big boys out Yankees, and Betts is bat- best,” said Trout, who was field. Kemp’s return to the one All-Star in pitcher Aar-
there,” said Altuve, who ting .342 with 22 homers for selected for the seventh Los Angeles Dodgers has on Nola. “Having to have
made the AL team for the the major league-leading straight year — tying Bos- been a smashing success. every team represented
sixth time. Red Sox. But that’s just the ton ace Chris Sale for the Markakis has been a key I think presents a bit of a
Torres is on the disabled list beginning for the AL, which longest active streak. performer for the Braves problem for Major League
with a hip injury and unlike- has won five All-Star Games Harper was voted a starter and made an All-Star team Baseball,” Astros ace Justin
ly to participate. While he in a row and 17 of the last for the fourth consecutive for the first time in his 13 Verlander said. “I think it’s
and Albies are just 21 years 21. Altuve led the fan bal- year. The slugger, who is major league seasons.”It is not necessarily always the
old, the list of 25 first-time loting with 4.8 million votes. eligible for free agency kind of emotional. I know guys that are having the
All-Stars also includes thir- Baltimore Orioles shortstop after this season, is batting my kids and my family are best years. I think especially
ty-something surprises like Manny Machado will make just .218 for disappoint- going to be ecstatic,” he in the game today where
Boston first baseman Mitch the short trip down to D.C. ing Washington but has 21 said. “Whether it came in you have some teams that
Moreland, Texas Rang- for the July 17 game with homers and 50 RBIs. my first year or this late in are tanking, I think it makes
ers slugger Shin-Soo Choo speculation increasing He was joined by ace my career, it is going to be it kind of difficult.
and Atlanta outfielder Nick about his future ahead of right-hander Max Scherzer an exciting time.” “It happens every year but
Markakis. the trade deadline. and reliever Sean Doolittle The Chicago Cubs will have it seems like this year is even
“It’s something that I didn’t Chicago White Sox first from the Nationals. Scher- two starters after catcher a little bit more difficult than
know it would ever be baseman Jose Abreu, zer, a three-time Cy Young Willson Contreras and sec- in years past. Some guys
quite possible,” Moreland Cleveland Indians third Award winner, could get ond baseman Javier Baez get snubbed.”q

Dodgers RF Puig lands on DL with an

oblique strain

By JAY PARIS moved from Sunday’s loss season, we have to be very
Associated Press to the Los Angeles Angels careful. Otherwise it can
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The during a fifth-inning at-bat. come back to bite you at
Dodgers placed right field- Earlier, Puig had homered an important time. So we
er Yasiel Puig on the 10-day for the second consecutive are going to be patient.”
disabled list with a right game. Dodgers manager Andrew Toles, who was out
oblique sprain prior to Mon- Dave Roberts said Puig for two months with a ham-
day’s game against the might not return until Au- string injury, was recalled Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig, right, celebrates as he hits a
San Diego Padres. gust. “It’s going to be a few from Triple-A Oklahoma three-run home run while Los Angeles Angels catcher Martin
Puig, who is hitting .265 weeks,” Roberts said. “With City. He was batting .326 in Maldonado watches during the second inning of a baseball
with 11 home runs, was re- the time we have left in the 34 games in the minors.q game Sunday, July 8, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. Associated Press