Braves have three finalists in voting for All-star game in July

Major League Baseball on Sunday announced the three All-star game finalists at each position in both leagues. The Braves had three players advance to the next phase of National League voting for next month’s starters in Denver: outfielder Ronald Acuna, first baseman Freddie Freeman and second baseman Ozzie Albies.

In the outfield, nine finalists are vying for three starting spots: Acuna, Mookie Betts (Dodgers), Nick Castellanos (Reds), Bryce Harper (Phillies), Joc Pederson (Cubs), Juan Soto (Nationals), Chris Taylor (Dodgers), Jesse Winker (Reds) and Mike Yastrzemski (Giants). Acuna is the second-leading MLB vote-getter overall with 2,510,041, trailing Blue Jays slugger Vlad Guerrero (2,704,788 votes).

Freeman joins Max Muncy (Dodgers) and Anthony Rizzo (Cubs) as a first-base finalist. Albies is joined by Adam Frazier (Pirates) and Gavin Lux (Dodgers) as the second basemen. Phase 2 of voting, which will determine starters, opens at noon today and lasts for four days. Starters will be announced July 1.

— GABRIEL BURNS, AJC

STRIPERS FALL: The Gwinnett Stripers (22-25) went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in a 4-2 loss Sunday in Norfolk, Va. Orlando Arcia accounted for three of Gwinnett’s seven hits, going 3-for-4. Gwinnett starting pitcher Jose Rodriguez allowed all four Norfolk runs in the second before four relievers combined on six scoreless innings to finish the game. The Stripers continue their road trip with a six-game set starting Tuesday at Durham, N.C.