Pair of Cards veterans making push for All-Star start

ST. LOUIS -- The latest National League All-Star vote totals have been released, and Yadier Molina has pulled closer to Giants catcher Buster Posey, the NL's current top vote-getter behind the plate.

At 1,684,700 votes, Molina, a four-time All-Star who entered Sunday as the NL's leader in batting average, needs help to surpass Posey, who tops the list at 1,961,861 votes.

Carlos Beltran has pulled ahead of the Brewers' Ryan Braun for one of three starting outfielder spots. Beltran (1,550,844 votes) trails Bryce Harper and Jason Upton at the position. Matt Holliday's 868,829 votes are good for 10th.

Although Beltran is the only Cardinals player currently in line to be a starter, Allen Craig and Jon Jay have made their first appearances on the ballot this year. Craig is fourth at first base and Jay is ranked 14th among outfielders.

Matt Carpenter, batting .332 on the season entering Sunday's action and in the midst of a 17-game hit streak, rose one spot to third in second base voting with 913,778 tallies. But he has a lot of ground to cover to catch Marco Scutaro (1,285,076) and Brandon Phillips (1,541,720).

David Freese overtook Chris Johnson for third place in third base voting. Pete Kozma (595,416) narrowly edged out Andrelton Simmons for fourth at shortstop.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via a mobile device -- using the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, July 4, at 10:59 p.m. CT.

Fans may submit 25 online ballots during the voting period but can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, fans must be logged into an MLB.com account when submitting any online ballot. To obtain an MLB.com account, visit MLB.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, July 15.

The 2013 American League and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 7, on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, televised nationally on TBS. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the All-Star Game Final Vote sponsored by freecreditscore.com on MLB.com.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities. The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STAR BALLOTING
(as of June 9)

CATCHER
1. Buster Posey, Giants: 1,961,861
2. Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 1,684,700
3. John Buck, Mets: 692,170
4. Brian McCann, Braves: 467,522
5. Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: 423,115

FIRST BASE
1. Joey Votto, Reds: 1,569,477
2. Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks: 928,647
3. Brandon Belt, Giants: 778,883
4. Allen Craig, Cardinals: 767,645
5. Freddie Freeman, Braves: 704,578

SECOND BASE
1. Brandon Phillips, Reds: 1,541,720
2. Marco Scutaro, Giants: 1,285,076
3. Matt Carpenter, Cardinals: 913,778
4. Chase Utley, Phillies: 774,314

SHORTSTOP
1. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 1,691,262
2. Brandon Crawford, Giants: 1,015,633
3. Jean Segura, Brewers: 835,329
4. Pete Kozma, Cardinals: 595,416
5. Andrelton Simmons, Braves: 592,286

THIRD BASE
1. Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 1,674,157
2. David Wright, Mets: 1,473,381
3. David Freese, Cardinals: 720,939
4. Chris Johnson, Braves: 635,138
5. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals: 532,493

OUTFIELD
1. Justin Upton, Braves: 1,666,026
2. Bryce Harper, Nationals: 1,616,784
3. Carlos Beltran, Cardinals: 1,550,844
4. Ryan Braun, Brewers: 1,283,103
5. Shin-Soo Choo, Reds: 1,043,839
6. Hunter Pence, Giants: 984,734
7. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: 955,568
8. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: 952,618
9. Angel Pagan, Giants: 871,143
10. Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 868,829
11. Gregor Blanco, Giants: 722,441
12. Carlos Gomez, Brewers: 704,106
13. B.J. Upton, Braves: 582,401
14. Jon Jay, Cardinals: 577,251
15. Jay Bruce, Reds: 556,894