Bat stays loud on day Gardner reaches Cincy
Yankees outfielder opens eventful afternoon with 10th homer of season
NEW YORK -- Entering Thursday, the tweets, videos and gimmicks were expected to continue right up until 4 p.m. ET on Friday, the Yankees doing everything they can to get fans to back outfielder Brett Gardner via the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote. At stake was a trip to Tuesday's All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile.
But Gardner's bat was likely most responsible for his election to the American League roster as an injury replacement for Kansas City's Alex Gordon, an announcement made on Thursday afternoon, shortly after Gardner collected his third hit of the day in New York's 6-2 win over the A's.
As of Thursday morning, Gardner was in fourth place in the AL Final Vote standings, trailing Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas, Twins second baseman Brian Dozier and Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Video: OAK@NYY: Gardner chosen to play in All-Star Game
A strained left groin muscle sustained on Wednesday by Gordon -- voted in as an AL All-Star starter -- opened a slot for Gardner, as Gordon is expected to miss eight weeks. But that didn't stop the Yankees from pushing for a Final Vote victory for Gardner, who hit his 10th homer of the season in his first at-bat on Thursday.
In honor of Gardner, his teammates on Wednesday donned bald latex caps with messages encouraging fans to vote for the outfielder.
"It was pretty cool," Gardner said of the caps after the Yankees beat the A's, 5-4, on Wednesday. "I definitely appreciate them standing up for me.
"Some guys looked a little better than others. I told Alex [Rodriguez] to take it off in a hurry before anybody saw."
Entering Thursday's game, Gardner was fourth in the Majors in runs (61), fourth in the AL in stolen bases (15) and was the only AL hitter to hold at least a .295 average with nine homers and 15 stolen bases.
Since June 18, Gardner had batted .405 with seven doubles, a triple, four homers and 11 RBIs. But he has made it clear throughout the week that campaigning for himself isn't something that interests him. He's hoping his numbers will speak loudly enough.
Also on Wednesday night, shortstop Brendan Ryan took to the video board to imitate Gardner and ask for votes.
Video: OAK@NYY: Yankees go bald in support of Gardner
Gardner saw part of the humorous skit on the video board during the game.
"He did great," Gardner said. "He's a pretty good actor. He likes the camera. I definitely appreciate all the work they put in and their standing up for me."
Voting is open now at MLB.com to select the final player for each League's 34-man roster via the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each League until 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
:: All-Star Game on FOX: Tuesday, Coverage begins 7 ET ::
During the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile in Cincinnati on Tuesday, July 14, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities, including the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 13. The Derby will feature a new format with brackets and timed rounds and will be broadcast live by ESPN and MLB.com beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
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