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Baseball notebook: Teammates support Votto

Cincinnati’s Joey Votto is mobbed in the dugout by his teammates after hitting one of his N.L.-leading 21 homers. (Associated Press)
The Spokesman-Review
Cincinnati’s Joey Votto is mobbed in the dugout by his teammates after hitting one of his N.L.-leading 21 homers. (Associated Press)

The Cincinnati Reds are wearing their All-Star support for Joey Votto.

The entire ballclub donned “Vote Votto” red T-shirts during batting practice Wednesday before their game against the New York Mets to elicit votes from fans for their teammate, who is one of four finalists for the last N.L. roster spot for next week’s All-Star game in Anaheim, Calif.

While Votto appreciates the support, Reds manager Dusty Baker said that it was the slugger’s teammates who chose to wear the shirts, not Votto.

The first baseman leads the league with 21 homers, a .419 on-base percentage and a .595 slugging percentage.

Bell, Soriano replace Gallardo, Rivera

San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell will replace Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Yovani Gallardo for the N.L. and Tampa Bay relief pitcher Rafael Soriano will replace New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera for the A.L. in the All-Star game.

Gallardo was put on the 15-day disabled list this week with a left oblique strain. Rivera pulled out of next week’s game because of nagging injuries.

Firefighter recovering after ballpark fall

A firefighter who tumbled about 30 feet from the Texas Rangers stands while trying to catch a foul ball received a hospital visit – and the ball –from team president Nolan Ryan on Wednesday.

Tyler Morris, 25, who works at the Lake Cities Fire Department near Dallas, was at Tuesday night’s game with fellow firefighters when he fell over a second-deck railing onto field-level seats below.

He suffered a head injury and sprained ankle but no internal injuries, and was expected to be released from the hospital soon.

Clearing the bases

Chicago White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a detached muscle in the back of his right shoulder, an injury that will almost certainly end his season. … The Colorado Rockies placed first baseman Todd Helton on the 15-day DL with a stiff back. … The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired right-handed reliever Sean Gallagher from San Diego in exchange for cash. … The Los Angeles Dodgers placed reliever Ronald Belisario on the restricted list because of personal reasons. … The Chicago Cubs have placed right-hander Brian Schlitter on the 15-day DL with a shoulder impingement.