Mark Melancon, Sergio Romo named National League All-Stars
Chris Tillman added to American League All-Star roster
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mark Melancon and San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo have been named National League All-Stars and will replace inactive pitchers Jeff Locke of the Pirates and Jordan Zimmermann of the Washington Nationals, National League All-Star manager Bruce Bochy announced in conjunction with Major League Baseball today. In addition, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman has been selected as an addition to the American League roster to replace Sunday pitcher Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers, American League All-Star manager Jim Leyland announced today.
Melancon, Romo and Tillman are all first-time All-Stars, bringing this year's total of newcomers to the Midsummer Classic to 36, which eclipses the record total of 35 at the 2011 All-Star Game in Arizona.
Melancon, 28, entered play today with a 2-1 record, a National League-best 0.81 ERA and two saves in 45 games this season. In 44.1 innings pitched, the right-handed setup man has surrendered just 31 hits and has posted 46 strikeouts against only four walks. The fifth-year Major Leaguer has limited batters to a .193 average this season in front of fellow Pirates All-Star Jason Grilli and has been scored upon just three times in his last 37 appearances. In addition to Grilli and Locke, Melancon joins teammates Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez as All-Stars. The five Pirates All-Stars represent the most the club has had since 1972, when Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell along with Steve Blass, Al Oliver and Manny Sanguillen played in Atlanta.
Romo, 30, is 3-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 21 saves this year. The two-time World Series Champion with the Giants has collected 38 strikeouts in 34.2 innings pitched (29 H, 7 BB). Romo recorded the final out in nine of the Giants' 11 Postseason wins in 2012, and he became the seventh pitcher ever to earn three saves in a single World Series.
Tillman, 25, is 11-3 with a 3.95 ERA on the year, with 89 strikeouts in 111.2 innings (110 H). The 6'5" right-hander is in his fifth Major League season and will join four Orioles teammates - position players Chris Davis, J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones and Manny Machado - in New York for All-Star festivities. The five O's All-Stars are the franchise's most since 1997, when Hall of Famers Cal Ripken, Jr. and Roberto Alomar participated along with Brady Anderson, Mike Mussina and Randy Myers.
Other announcements regarding the All-Star rosters will be made later today, including substitutions for other All-Star pitchers who are starting today. The current A.L. and N.L. All-Star rosters accompany this press release.
The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16th. The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. Pregame ceremonies will begin at 7:30 p.m. (EDT). 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, please visit allstargame.com or mets.com/asg.