PITTSBURGH -- Josh Bell couldn’t have put together a much stronger case to be the National League’s starting first baseman in the upcoming All-Star Game, but he fell just short in a tightly contested race for the starting spot.

The Braves’ Freddie Freeman, already a three-time All-Star, narrowly beat Bell in the Starters Election. Freeman received 38.5 percent of the vote, according to the results announced on Thursday night, while Bell finished with 37.4 percent. It was the closest race for a starting job in the NL.

• These are the 2019 All-Star Game starters

Bell still has a chance to make his first All-Star team when the pitchers and reserves are revealed on ESPN on Sunday night at 5:30 p.m. ET, and he could even earn a spot in the starting lineup as the NL’s designated hitter. The NL manager -- the Dodgers’ Dave Roberts, in this case -- can pick a DH from the pool of reserves determined through a combination of “Player Ballot” choices and selections made by the Commissioner’s Office.

If he makes the All-Star team and receives an invitation, Bell also has expressed his interest in participating in the Home Run Derby.

The 2019 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard will be played on Tuesday, July 9, at Progressive Field in Cleveland. It 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. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. 

The Pirates and their fans were yearning to see Bell get the start at first base at Progressive Field, however, in recognition of his breakout season. The 26-year-old switch-hitter slugged his 22nd home run of the season in the Bucs’ 10-0 win over the Astros on Thursday afternoon. He is slashing .311/.384/.646 with a Major League-leading 70 RBIs.

Bell is tied for sixth in the Majors with 22 homers. He leads all hitters with 70 RBIs. He’s third in the NL in slugging percentage and OPS (1.029) behind only Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger. Nobody in baseball has racked up more extra-base hits than Bell’s 54. He was named NL Player of the Month in May after a historically productive month at the plate.

Freeman is also enjoying an excellent season. The 29-year-old first baseman, who finished fourth in the NL MVP voting last year, is slashing .312/.396/.598 with 22 homers, 46 extra-base hits and 63 RBIs. Freeman also won the Primary round of voting, which led him into the Starters Election alongside Bell and the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo.

The Pirates did everything they could to support Bell in the 28-hour Starters Election window. On Wednesday night, they opened PNC Park for a free “Ring the Vote” All-Star voting party. Bell’s teammates took to social media throughout the voting process to vouch for the hard-working, well-liked first baseman.

The Pirates have not had a position player start in the All-Star Game since Andrew McCutchen in 2015. Their last starting infielder was Bobby Bonilla in 1988. Their last All-Star starting first baseman was Dale Long in 1956.

Pittsburgh is hoping to send more than one player to the Midsummer Classic, however. Manager Clint Hurdle and team president Frank Coonelly have publicly vouched for closer Felipe Vazquez, who made the All-Star team last season, and Coonelly recently campaigned for hot-hitting rookie outfielder Bryan Reynolds.