Albert Pujols moves past Chase Utley to become top NL vote-getter in fan balloting

Pujols moves past Utley as top NL vote-getter

NEW YORK — Albert Pujols has edged past Chase Utley for the race to be the National League’s top All-Star vote-getter.

In results of fan voting released Monday, the St. Louis first baseman, coming off a weekend in which he had three homers and 10 RBIs, reclaimed the top spot from Philadelphia’s second baseman with 2,934,794 votes to Utley’s 2,922,796.

Suspended slugger Manny Ramirez remained in sixth place among outfielders with 1,162,507 votes.

Florida’s Hanley Ramirez (1,647,482) surged ahead of Philadelphia’s Jimmy Rollins (1,494,466), who led for two weeks, for starting shortstop.

Catcher Yadier Molina is the only other Cardinals position player leading a category. The All-Star game is July 14 in St. Louis.