Benintendi in striking distance for Final Vote

Fans have until 4 p.m. ET today to send Red Sox left fielder to ASG

July 11th, 2018

BOSTON -- might have the most low-key personality on the Red Sox. So when it comes to campaign mechanisms for the American League's Final Vote, which could make him the sixth All-Star, Benintendi has just one -- and it is made of lumber.
VOTE Benny: 2018 Camping World MLB Final Vote
The left fielder rifled a pair of RBI doubles to help lead the Red Sox to an 8-4 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
The performance came just hours after Benintendi learned he was in second place on the ballot, trailing only Seattle's . As of Wednesday morning's update, the standings remained the same, giving fans until 4 p.m. ET to push Benintendi into the lead.

The results will be announced tonight on MLB Network.
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"They know I'm not really that kind of a guy to hype myself up," Benintendi said. "It's been kind of funny to watch and to see them get into it."
Fans can cast votes for the final player on each league's roster -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online as part of the 2018 Camping World MLB Final Vote, as well as via the MLB At Bat and MLB Ballpark mobile apps, until today at 4 p.m. ET.
Johnny Damon (2002), Jason Varitek ('03) and Hideki Okajima ('07) are previous Red Sox players who became All-Stars via the Final Vote.
Benintendi's recent stat lines should speak plenty loud enough.
In the last five games, Benintendi is 12-for-19 (.632) with nine runs, five doubles, a homer and four RBIs.

"I feel pretty good," said Benintendi. "I think before that Kansas City series, I was scuffling a little bit for a week and a half to two weeks, so to finally get back to feeling good is big for me."

In Tuesday's game, Benintendi's first RBI double was in the midst of a five-run rally for the Red Sox. The second one was in the seventh, and it drove in for an insurance run.
"More importantly, we won the game, so that's what mattered," Benintendi said. "A lot of big hits from a lot of guys tonight, so it was a good win."

For the season, Benintendi is slashing .298/.383/.523 with 25 doubles, five triples, 14 homers and 57 RBIs. This to go along with 17 stolen bases in 18 attempts. Benintendi has also played strong defense in left field.
Despite how deserving he would be to join Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Mitch Moreland, Chris Sale and at the All-Star Game, Benintendi isn't spending much time thinking about the possibility.
"Whatever happens, it's out of my hands," Benintendi said. "Whatever happens happens."
But when Benintendi comes to the plate these days, hits are what seem to be happening.

On Tuesday, July 17, while watching the 2018 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, fans can submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2018 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote.
The 89th Midsummer Classic, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.
For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.