Seven Orioles among early voting leaders for 2013 All-Star Game

This afternoon, Major League Baseball announced the first balloting update for the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York. Orioles first baseman Chris Davis and outfielder Adam Jones are currently in line to start the game at their respective positions. Additionally, this afternoon Davis was named the A.L. Player of the Week for the week ending June 2, when he batted .481 (13-27) with a double, four home runs, six RBI and 10 runs scored. The award is the third of Davis' career (also April 1-7, 2013 and September 24-30, 2012). Davis, who is batting .357/.440/.754 with a major league leading 20 home runs and 52 RBI in 56 games, would be making his first appearance in the Midsummer Classic. Jones, who is looking to make his third trip and first start in an All-Star Game (also 2009 and 2012), is batting .313/.340/.521 with 11 home runs and 37 RBI in 57 games this season. In addition to Davis and Jones, thrid baseman Manny Machado (.327/.363/.506 with 37 runs scored) is second among AL third basemen, trailing overall leading vote-getter Miguel Cabrera. In the closest race at any position, shortstop J.J. Hardy (tied for the major league lead among shortstops with 12 home runs) is in second place and trails Texas' Elvin Andrus by just over 10,000 votes. Hardy is looking to make his first All-Star appearance for the American League after being named to the National League squad in 2007 with Milwaukee. Catcher Matt Wieters is aiming for his third straight All-Star appearance and trails only Minnesota's Joe Mauer among AL backstops. Alongside Jones among the top vote-getters in the AL outfield are Nick Markakis (sixth) and Nate McLouth (seventh). In-park voting ends June 25, while online voting runs through July 4. Fans are encouraged to #VoteOrange by visiting www.orioles.com/voteorange.