OAKLAND -- A surge in voting has pushed the Giants' Buster Posey past the Cardinals' Yadier Molina in fan balloting for the National League's starting catcher's spot in next month's All-Star Game at San Diego.
According to the final update released by Major League Baseball on Wednesday, Posey had soared past Molina to take a lead of approximately 107,000 votes. The Giants' backstop benefited from collecting 51.5 percent more votes than Molina.
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In the previous update, Molina (1,568,930 votes) held a slight edge on Posey (1,563,800).
Posey and Molina have combined to win each of the last four and six of the last seven fan elections as the NL's starting All-Star catcher. Seeking his second consecutive fan election and third overall -- he also won it in 2012 and 2015 -- Posey entered Wednesday batting .280 with eight home runs, 36 RBIs, 17 doubles and 45 runs scored. He also had a .344 on-base percentage and a .447 slugging percentage.
Molina is bidding for his fifth fan election, having won in 2009-10 and 2013-14. He began Wednesday hitting .262 with a home run, 26 RBIs, 15 doubles and 26 runs scored. Those figures were garnished by a .331 on-base percentage and a .340 slugging percentage.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June 30, at 8:59 p.m. PT. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 times.
Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info.
Following the announcement of the 2016 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 12, watch the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2016 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 87th All-Star Game, in San Diego, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.