The state of Missouri came through down the stretch in both the AL and NL final vote to get their players to Cincinnati for the All-Star Game on Tuesday. Kansas City Royals' third baseman Mike Moustakas and St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Carlos Martinez won the American League and National League vote respectively to get in on Friday.
Martinez got past Cincinnati Reds' pitcher Johnny Cueto on the final day of voting to become the sixth player to represent the redbirds in the Midsummer Classic. The first-time all-star pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings in a win Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 23 year-old is 10-3 with a 2.52 ERA this season.
Dodgers' ace Clayton Kershaw, Rockies' shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, and Mets' closer Jeurys Familia were also in the running.
26 year-old Mike Moustakas made his first career All-Star team, becoming the seventh Kansas City Royal going to Cincinnati. Moustakas is hitting .301 with seven home runs and 31 RBI for the A.L. Central leaders.
The Twins' Brian Dozier, Tigers' Yoenis Cespedes, and Boston's Xander Bogaerts were also looking to get in as the final All-Star. Yankees' outfielder Brett Gardner was in the running as well before being chosen as a replacement for injured Royal Alex Gordon.
Moustakas was just reinstated off the bereavement list on Friday, as he was staying with his ailing mother. He returned to the club with a welcoming and well-deserved surprise.
Martinez got past Cincinnati Reds' pitcher Johnny Cueto on the final day of voting to become the sixth player to represent the redbirds in the Midsummer Classic. The first-time all-star pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings in a win Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 23 year-old is 10-3 with a 2.52 ERA this season.
Dodgers' ace Clayton Kershaw, Rockies' shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, and Mets' closer Jeurys Familia were also in the running.
26 year-old Mike Moustakas made his first career All-Star team, becoming the seventh Kansas City Royal going to Cincinnati. Moustakas is hitting .301 with seven home runs and 31 RBI for the A.L. Central leaders.
The Twins' Brian Dozier, Tigers' Yoenis Cespedes, and Boston's Xander Bogaerts were also looking to get in as the final All-Star. Yankees' outfielder Brett Gardner was in the running as well before being chosen as a replacement for injured Royal Alex Gordon.
Moustakas was just reinstated off the bereavement list on Friday, as he was staying with his ailing mother. He returned to the club with a welcoming and well-deserved surprise.