Ellsbury, Buchholz showcased

Thirteen players from last year's All-Stars Futures Game have reached the majors this season. Red Sox prospect Jacoby Ellsbury is one of three competitors in this year's game, played yesterday at AT&T Park in San Francisco, to already have had a taste of the big leagues, but it didn't lessen his excitement.

"It's been a crazy week," said Ellsbury, who hit .375 during his six-game stay with Boston before being returned to Triple A Pawtucket Friday.

"It means a lot to me to play with these guys. There are a lot of guys who will be in the big leagues in the near future."

Ellsbury hit leadoff (going 0 for 4) and played left field for the US team in a 7-2 loss to the World squad. Ellsbury's teammate in Pawtucket, righthander Clay Buchholz, pitched the sixth inning and allowed a solo homer to Cincinnati minor league Joey Votto.

Chin-Lung Hu, a shortstop for the Dodgers' Double A team, had a pair of RBI hits and a stolen base for the World team, taking MVP honors. The US scored on home runs by Justin Upton (Arizona) and John Whittleman (Texas).

Rick Vanden Hurk, who has made seven appearances with the Marlins this season, allowed one hit and struck out one batter in the first to get the win.

Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols and Alex Rios of the Blue Jays were announced as additions to tonight's Home Run Derby. Pujols, who has 16 home runs, has gone 22 games and a career-worst 74 at-bats since his last long ball. Rios, who leads Toronto with 17 homers, joins an AL entry of Minnesota's Justin Morneau, Vladimir Guerrero of the Angels, and Detroit's Magglio Ordonez. Pujols, Philadelphia's Ryan Howard, and Prince Fielder of Milwaukee make up the NL squad, with another player likely to be added after Florida's Miguel Cabrera was scratched yesterday because of a shoulder injury.