Phillips in the hunt for All-Star nod

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Phillips in the hunt for All-Star nod
Fans can vote for Reds players online until July 2
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

06/15/09 12:19 PM ET

KANSAS CITY -- With 18 days remaining until the end of online balloting for the 2009 All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14, Brandon Phillips is still in the hunt for starting spots, but he and Joey Votto need a good amount of help from Reds fans.

For the third straight week, Phillips was in fifth place among second basemen on the National League ballot with 359,863 votes. That put him well behind leader Chase Utley of the Phillies, who was followed by Orlando Hudson from the Dodgers, Rickie Weeks of the Brewers and Skip Schumaker from the Cardinals.

Phillips is batting .273 with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs this season.

Votto, who's been on the disabled list since May 30 because of stress-related issues, fell out of the top five in votes for NL first basemen. He is batting .357 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until July 2 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Ballots are also available at Great American Ball Park through June 20.

Starting rosters will be announced during the 2009 All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet on TBS on July 5. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote at MLB.com.

Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet at the Midsummer Classic via the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint MVP Vote at MLB.com.

The July 14 All-Star Game from Busch Stadium in St. Louis will be televised nationally by FOX and around the world by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio play-by-play, while MLB.com will offer extensive online coverage.

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