Desmond's Final Vote campaign falls short

PHILADELPHIA -- Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond finished fourth in the National League All-Star Final Vote, behind Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and Giants outfielder Hunter Pence. Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez finished fifth.

Freeman received 19.7 million votes, a new all-time Final Vote record. Freeman becomes the second Braves player to win the online balloting.

"With the guys on the list, you really can't go wrong," Desmond said. "I'm blessed to have the opportunity to be selected for that Final Vote. It's all just a blessing to come as far as I've come in a short amount of time, it's awesome. I'm very appreciative of the fans. ... There is no way I could thank them except keep playing hard."

Manager Davey Johnson didn't mince words on how he felt about Desmond not winning the vote.

"That's a shame, because [Desmond] is the best shortstop in the league," Johnson said.

Desmond, 27, is clearly the best player on the Nationals this year. Besides playing outstanding defense, he leads Washington in home runs and RBIs. It helped that he had a hot month of June, during which he drove in 28 runs.

Desmond has missed one game this season, and Johnson wouldn't mind seeing Desmond rest during the All-Star break.

"I'm happy about that, because I'm not resting him [until the All-Star break]," Johnson said. "I think he has been in all but one game, and I think about resting him, and then I say, 'I can't afford to do that.' So I'm glad he is going to get some time off."

Desmond said it's a win-win situation if he is off during the All-Star Break.

"It would be nice for myself and for my team if I could go home and get some rest," Desmond said. "I want to come back for the second half strong."