SAN FRANCISCO -- Outfielder Barry Bonds doesn't like his chances to be the Giants' representative in the 77th All-Star Game at Pittsburgh's PNC Park on July 11.

"Realistically, I don't think I'll be there," said Bonds, currently ranked eighth among National League outfielders with 408,579 votes in results released Monday. "And there are guys playing much better than I am."

The outfield leader is Atlanta's Andruw Jones with a whopping 813,990 votes, while Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. is second with 761,091 and the Mets' Carlos Beltran third at 737,830.

Bonds, who missed the last five games of the homestand with an abdominal strain on the left side, was in the starting lineup on Tuesday night against Arizona. He's currently batting .250 with eight homers (716 lifetime) and .375 (12-for-32) with runners in scoring position.

Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel remains in the fifth spot, as he has since balloting began, with 293,628 votes, while the leader is St. Louis's David Eckstein with 540,237. The Phillies' Jimmy Rollins is fourth at 426,532.

Giants fans are encouraged to vote for Bonds and Vizquel along with the other candidates: outfielder Moises Alou, second baseman Ray Durham, catcher Mike Matheny, outfielder Randy Winn, third baseman Pedro Feliz and first baseman Lance Niekro. None is among the position leaders.

Fans can cast votes up to 25 times with Monster online balloting at MLB.com and all 30 club sites, including sfgiants.com. Online balloting ends at 8:59 p.m. PT on June 29. Ballots are also available at AT&T Park through June 21.

Benitez mad: Giants closer Armando Benitez throws fastball heat, but he has tossed some verbally hot blasts against play-by-play announcer Jon Miller for what he calls unkind words on the air and a negative club atmosphere.

"I'm sick about this, about being judged by people who don't know who I am," Benitez told the Oakland Tribune. "I know what I can do. You don't respect me, it's a big mistake -- a big mistakes. I'll bet [if] you send me to another team, I'd be better. Other teams know what I can do."

Miller said Tuesday he doesn't recall saying anything derogatory about Benitez, but added he hoped the closer will have success.

Manager Felipe Alou said he met with Benitez following Jason Schmidt's fabulous 16-strikeout game June 6 vs. Florida, when the closer complained that reliever Jeremy Accardo was warming up, not him.

"It's common sense," said Alou on Tuesday. "Schmidt was only going to leave if we lost the lead. That's logical. [Armando] wanted reassurance, and he was OK with it.

"That's why he's 4-0, because we've brought him in in a tie game or for a tuneup and we won," said Alou, noting Benitez hasn't had many opportunities for save because the Giants either are losing or win blowout games.

"Closers are sensitive," said Alou. "I don't think you've ever heard me say anything negative. He showed he could come back soon last year. He'll be there."

Niekro on DL: The Giants placed first baseman Lance Niekro on the disabled list, retroactive to Monday, with a right groin strain and recalled rookie Travis Ishikawa from Double-A Connecticut.

"I felt something the other day, then there was a pop fly at first and I turned to get it and felt it grab pretty good," said Niekro. "I didn't think it was bad, but after two days it wasn't better.

"It's still pretty tight," said Niekro, who was also on the DL from May 21-29 with right shoulder bursitis.

The 22-year-old Ishikawa is making his third stint with the Giants this season and is batting .500 (5-for-10) with three doubles, a triple and three RBIs.

"I'm going to keep enjoying this," said Ishikawa, who was hitting .273 over 11 games at Norwich. "If I can get sent down a third time hitting .500 I won't be too upset."

Alou said Ishikawa would be seeing plenty of playing time, with Mark Sweeney also in the mix.

"Ishikawa is a good defensive first baseman and he can hit," said Alou. "He was hitting the ball better in Double-A than when he brought him up the last time."

San Jose stars: The San Jose Giants will send four pitchers to the 2006 All-Star roster, sending four pitchers to the Midsummer Classic pitting the California League against the Carolina League on June 27 in Virginia.

Starters Nick Pereira (7-1, 2.11 ERA) and Alex Hinshaw and relievers Brian Anderson (first in the league with 17 saves) and Justin Hedrick will comprise almost half of the pitching staff.

On deck: Right-hander Matt Cain (4-5, 5.20 ERA) will take the hill on Wednesday night as the Giants square off against the Diamondbacks in the second stanza of a three-game set at Chase Field. Claudio Vargas (6-3, 5.34 ERA) will get the start for Arizona.