Braun, Pujols pass 2 million All-Star votes By Sports Network

St. Louis Cardinals batter Albert Pujols prepares to take the plate during the top of the eighth inning of his MLB National League baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, California, April 9, 2011. (REUTERS/Beck Diefenbach)

NEW YORK - Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun remained the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game among National League players.

In the third round of balloting figures, released Monday by Major League Baseball, the left fielder had more than 2.23 million votes to again edge Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols for the top spot.

Pujols, the leader after the first round of balloting figures, had more than 2.08 million votes in the new numbers -- over 300,000 more than reigning MVP Joey Votto of the Reds among first basemen.

In the always competitive race at the position, Milwaukee's Prince Fielder was third, Philadelphia's Ryan Howard was fourth and Atlanta's Freddie Freeman was a distant fifth.

In the outfield, Braun was trailed by Cardinals Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday and Dodgers Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp.

In a close race at second base, Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips was the leading vote-getter with more than 1.75 million. Trailing him was another Brewer, Rickie Weeks, who was fewer than 300,000 votes behind for the July 12 game.

Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco led his position, trailed by Atlanta's Chipper Jones and San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval, while Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was holding off his only real competition at shortstop, New York's Jose Reyes.

The next round of balloting figures will be released Monday, June 20.