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Harper leads voting for midsummer classic

A pile of batting practice balls with MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr on them during warm-ups prior to the first inning of a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) Photo: Associated Press


NEW YORK (AP) — Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and New York Yankees rookie outfielder Aaron Judge are the top vote-getters in their respective leagues for the upcoming Major League All-Star game in Miami.

Harper led all players with over 4.6 million votes and is joined in the National League starting outfield by Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon and Marcell Ozuna (oh-ZOO’-nuh) of the Marlins.

The NL starting infield has first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and second baseman Daniel Murphy, both of the Nationals. Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (ar-eh-NAH’-doh) and Reds shortstop Zack Cozart fill out the infield, with Giants catcher Buster Posey behind the plate.

Judge was the AL’s top vote-getter and will be part of a starting outfield that includes Houston’s George Springer and Mike Trout of the Angels. Trout is currently injured and plans to begin a rehab assignment this week.

A pair of Astros are part of the AL’s starting infield after shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Jose Altuve (al-TOO’-vay) were chosen in the balloting, along with Twins third baseman Miguel Sano (sah-NOH’) and Oakland first baseman Yonder Alonso. Kansas City’s Salvador Perez will be the starting catcher for the Junior Circuit.

The 12 first-time starters are the most since voting was returned to fans in 1970.

Reliever Wade Davis was the only player chosen from the defending World Series-champion Cubs, and he wasn’t with the team last season. The Cubs had seven All-Stars in 2016.

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