Cueto a runner-up in NL Final Vote
MIAMI -- Ace Johnny Cueto will not get to represent the host Reds in the Midsummer Classic with teammates Todd Frazier and Aroldis Chapman. Cueto could not hold back a last-day surge by the Cardinals' Carlos Martinez, finishing second among National League players in the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote.
"I don't have anything specific to say; it just did not come out how I wanted," Cueto said after the Reds' 1-0 win over the Marlins on Friday night. "But all I have to say is that I want to thank everybody who voted and tried to get me to the All-Star Game."
Since Final Vote candidates were announced on Monday, Cueto led on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Ultimately, Martinez went from third to first and claimed 14.1 million votes overall.
"I was thinking ... it has to be [Clayton Kershaw], then [Troy Tulowitzki] and then maybe me behind them," Cueto said. "But Martinez got me by surprise, so you never know what's gonna happen."
Cueto did top Martinez in final day Twitter voting. In the end, the top two leading Twitter votegetters were in the American League, with AL winner Mike Moustakas (#VoteMoose) of the Royals and the Twins' Brian Dozier (#VoteDozier), followed by Cueto (#Vote Cueto) and Martinez (#VoteTsunami).
In 16 starts this season, Cueto is 6-5 with a 2.61 ERA. During Tuesday's 5-0 Reds win over Washington, he dealt a two-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts.
Manager Bryan Price said he was disappointed his ace will not get the chance to represent the Reds.
"I see how hard Johnny works, how efficient he is and how he can dominate a game," Price said. "I see that he's a true ace -- not just an ace for the Reds -- but he's a true ace in the Major Leagues. So we would have loved for him to represent us in Cincinnati, because he's a great performer and great talent."
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.
The 86th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (coverage begins 7 p.m. ET), in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.