Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro says Royals right-hander Seth Lugo should start All-Star game

BOSTON (AP) — Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro lobbied for Royals right-hander Seth Lugo to start Tuesday’s All-Star Game for the American League.

Quatraro made the case for Lugo with Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who will lead the the AL team.

“I called him and pushed as hard as I could to recommend Seth to start,” Quatraro said Saturday before Lugo took the loss when the Royals fell to the Red Sox 5-0.

Lugo (11-4) matched his season-high of allowing five runs and gave up his most hits (10) in five innings. It was his shortest start of the year. He entered the day with a MLB-best ERA of 2.21 that rose to 2.48. He’s second in the majors in victories, one behind Atlanta’s Chris Sale (12-3).

“That be awesome,” Lugo said afterward when asked about the possibility of starting. “I think everybody wants that, me included. That be cool.”

Before the game, Quatraro pointed to his strong numbers.

“It certainly merits it with his accomplishments through the year,” Quatraro said. “I understand that there’s a lot of guys there that deserve it and their managers are campaigning for them as well.”

A first-time All-Star, the 34-year-old Lugo is in his first season with the Royals, who signed him to a $45 million, three-year contract.

Asked what Bochy told him, Quatraro responded: “He said it’s a tough decision. Lugo’s has a great year and put himself in position to be considered to start, but it’s a tough choice.”

Kansas City’s last All-Star starting pitcher was Bret Saberhagen in 1987.

Pittsburgh rookie right-hander Paul Skenes will start for the National League.