Photo Finishes: Fans Keep Swisher, Youkilis Race Tight as Voting Enters Its Dramatic Final Stretch; Votto Paces NL, 'Cargo' to Third

NEW YORK, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- With fewer than seven hours remaining, Nick Swisher of the New York Yankees held the slimmest of margins over Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox in what is shaping up to be a photo finish at today's 4 p.m. (EDT) deadline in the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint, available exclusively on MLB.com and the individual Club sites. The winners will be announced live on MLB.com and MLB Network tonight at 6 p.m. (EDT).

After multiple lead changes, including three in the past 24 hours alone, Swisher and Youkilis continued to be locked in a virtual tie for the American League's top spot. Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox remained in third place and was followed by Michael Young of the Texas Rangers and Delmon Young of the Minnesota Twins.

Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds still led the National League voting in his efforts to go wire-to-wire. Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies moved into third place behind Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals and ahead of Billy Wagner of the Atlanta Braves. San Diego Padres pitcher Heath Bell was removed from the NL ballot after he was named to the All-Star Team as a replacement for Yovani Gallardo of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Buoyed by the success of last year's "Bran-Torino" alliance that pushed Brandon Inge and Shane Victorino to All-Star Final Vote victory, six of the 10 candidates' Clubs have formed alliances to help their fan bases collaborate to get their players to Anaheim. The three alliances announced were: Reds and Red Sox (1975 World Series); Nationals and Rangers (Third Base Ticket); and Rox and (White) Sox.

Originally introduced during this year's online balloting for the elected starters, fans can campaign for their favorite player on the Final Vote ballot through MLB.com's All-Star Campaign Manager program, tallying points by getting their friends, family and co-workers to vote through social networking, and competing to be recognized as an "official" Final Vote Campaign Manager for any player they helped support.

Mobile voting is available exclusively on Sprint, Nextel and Boost capable mobile phones and fans can send the word "Vote" to 1122 to receive the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint ballot. Message and data rates may apply. In Canada, fans can text "Vote" to 88555. Standard text rates apply.

SOURCE MLB.com