Youkilis takes slim lead over Teixeira in AL fan voting

Youkilis takes lead over Teixeira in fan voting

NEW YORK — Kevin Youkilis has taken a slim lead over Mark Teixeira in a back-and-forth race to be elected the starting American League first baseman for the All-Star game.

In results of fan voting released Tuesday, Youkilis held an edge of only 1,315 ballots. The Boston star had 1,110,366 votes while the Yankees’ Teixeira had 1,109,051.

The closest race in fan voting history occurred in 1982, when Manny Trillo beat Steve Sax by 1,625 votes as the NL second baseman.

Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria remains the overall top vote-getter. Other leaders are Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler, Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer and outfielders Jason Bay of Boston, Josh Hamilton of Texas and Ichiro Suzuki of Seattle.

The All-Star game is July 14 in St. Louis.