Rendon not going to All-Star Game (Nats fall 7-4 in 11)

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon will not participate in this year's All-Star Game, Major League Baseball announced via Twitter this evening.

MLB tweeted that Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy would replace Rendon at the Midsummer Classic next week in Cleveland.

Rendon has been nursing what he's called a "nagging injury" for a few weeks now, and has not been running full speed down the line. The third baseman has said recently he would not mind using the four days off during the break to rehabilitate the injury because his top priority is being healthy for the Nationals in the second half.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Rendon is all about the Nationals. This decision to not go to the All-Star Game to mend an injury is another example of where Rendon's focus lies.

"We talk about this all the time, he's the one constant," said Martinez. "On and off the field, in the clubhouse, he's always across the board the same guy every single day. It's kind of nice to have that guy just to say you know what you're going to get him from.

"He's beat up a little bit right now but he knows how to get ready. He prepares himself to get ready and he's the lineup. We talked about yesterday with the 11 o'clock game and trying to give him a day off. He didn't want it. That's the kind of guy he is."

Since returning to the Nats on May 7 after missing action with an injured elbow, Rendon has started 52 games. Tonight will be the 53rd start. He hit nine homers in June. His on-base percentage was .400 in May and .363 in June. Rendon is slashing .310/.395/.627 in 72 games this season.

Rendon is expected to be made available to the media following tonight's game against the Royals.

Max Muncy has been named to the NL All-Star team to replace Anthony Rendon. pic.twitter.com/3CVJad9Y67

-- MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2019

Update: Trea Turner led off the bottom of the first with a solo shot off of Kansas City starter Brad Keller. It was the first time this season the Nats led off the game with a homer. The Nats have now hit a homer in a franchise-record 19 straight games. It was Turner's seventh homer of the season.

The Royals fought back in the third against Austin Voth. With one out, Whit Merrifield singled and Adalberto Mondesi brought him home with a triple. An Alex Gordon single scored Mondesi.

After three innings, the Royals lead the Nats 2-1.

Update II: In the fifth, Hunter Dozier and Jorge Soler connnected on RBI singles off of reliever Javy Guerra. Voth lasted 4 1/3 innings and was responsible for all four runs on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts. He fired 96 pitches, 60 for strikes.

Mid-sixth, the Royals lead the Nats 4-1.

Update III: The Nats loaded the bases with two outs in sixth thanks to walks to Brian Dozier and Yan Gomes, and a single by pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick. Facing Kevin McCarthy, Turner grounded out back to the pitcher. Keller finished 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits with five walks and two strikeouts. He threw 111 pitches, 61 for strikes.

After six frames, the Royals still lead the Nats 4-1.

Update IV: In the seventh, Ryan Zimmerman drove an RBI double to left-center field to score Adam Eaton. It was the 1,000th RBI in his career. He is the 43rd player to reach 1,000 RBIs with a single team.

After seven innings, the Royals lead the Nats 4-2.

Update V: Juan Soto singled to lead off the bottom of the ninth against Ian Kennedy. Zimmerman followed with a double off the third base bag to score Soto. Zimmerman's 1,001st RBI cut the Royals lead to 4-3. Brian Dozier singled and Zimmerman scored from second base, tying the game at 4-4. But Kennedy recorded three outs to send the game into extra innings.

Update VI: Facing Brian Flynn, Eaton singled to lead off the bottom of the 10th. Flynn balked Eaton to second. Pinch-hitter Stephen Strasburg bunted Eaton to third. Soto was intentionally walked. But Zimmerman popped out to shortstop. Soto moved to second on defensive indifference. Dozier walked. Victor Robles fielder's choice grounder to shortstop ended the inning.

After 10 innings, the Nats and the Royals even at 4-4.

Update VII: In the 11th against Jonny Venters, Mondesi with a bases loaded single to score Nicky Lopez. The Royals led 5-4. A Zimmerman throwing error allowed two runs to score. The Royals led 7-4.

Facing Wily Peralta in the bottom of the 11th, the Nats got a single by Turner with two outs, but were unable to rally.

Final score: the Royals 7, the Nats 4 in 11 innings.

The Nats left 19 men on base and are now 45-42 overall.