LOS ANGELES -- With another round of All-Star voting results, a pair of Rockies infielders remain tantalizingly close to their first career starts in the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard.
Third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story both remain second in voting at their positions, with only a Cub ahead of them. Carlos Gonzalez also ranks ninth in voting among National League outfielders with 329,761 votes.
Arenado, the NL leader in home runs and the team's leading vote-getter with 841,147, has some distance to make up behind Kris Bryant, who has 1,172,717. Story comes in much closer to his position leader, with 714,160 votes to Addison Russell's 832,191. However, that's a gap that has widened since the initial round of voting, when just 9,950 votes separated the two.
"I can't say that I expected that, but I'm very confident in the player that I am and that I can be," Story said. "I can see how I'm there right now, but I try not to pay too much attention and just take care of my business here."
Story ranks third in the NL in home runs and leads all rookies and shortstops in slugging percentage.
Manager Walt Weiss supported both Arenado and Story's candidacies before Tuesday's game, while also pointing out right-handed pitcher Tyler Chatwood should have a case when pitchers are selected. Chatwood leads the Majors among qualified pitchers in ERA on the road with a 0.65 mark.
"If our hitters are going to get penalized for where they play, then our pitchers should at the very least get the benefit of the doubt," Weiss said. "It can't work one way, it's got to work both ways. I think that's very legitimate, talking about Tyler as an All-Star at this point."
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 11:59 p.m. ET. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 times.
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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.