Pujols tops All-Star voting

NEW YORK (Reuters) - St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols led voting for Major League Baseball's All-Star game and will start for the National League in the July 14 contest at his home park, baseball officials announced on Sunday.

Pujols, the National League's most valuable player last season, was selected for his eighth All-Star game, polling 5.3 million votes from fans, the second-highest total ever. He leads the majors with 31 home runs and 82 runs batted in.

The New York Yankees' shortstop Derek Jeter, a 10-time All-Star, topped voting for the American League, which has not lost in the past 12 All-Star games. The 2002 contest ended in a tie.

Joining Pujols in the National League's starting lineup will be Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, second baseman Chase Utley and outfielder Raul Ibanez of the Philadelphia Phillies, third baseman David Wright and outfielder Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets, Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun.

The American League lineup will have Jeter and Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, second baseman Dustin Pedroia and outfielder Jason Bay of the Boston Red Sox, third baseman Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays and outfielders Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners and Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers.

The starters were determined by fan balloting.

Starting pitchers will be announced later.

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina, editing by Justin Palmer)