Jeter tops AL All-Star vote-getters

NEW YORK, June 23 (UPI) -- New York's Derek Jeter has moved into the lead for all vote-getters in balloting for the American League All-Star team, Major League Baseball officials said.

Jeter has piled up 1,988,251 votes and is just ahead of Boston designated hitter David Ortiz (1,982,786) in overall vote totals released Monday. Jeter's Yankee teammate Alex Rodriguez is third at 1,940,827. Voting at mlb.com continues through July 2.

Jeter, at shortstop, and Rodriguez, at third base, own strong leads at their positions. Ortiz is one of four Red Sox -- first baseman Kevin Youkilis, outfielder Manny Ramirez and second baseman Dustin Pedroia are the others -- leading at their positions.

Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer jumped past Boston catcher Jason Varitek and had about a 45,000-vote lead going into the final 10 days of voting.

Texas' Josh Hamilton and Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki are second and third -- including for starting spots -- among AL outfielders.

The 79th All-Star Game is set for July 15 at New York's Yankee Stadium.