• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

American League looks to continue All-Star Game dominance

Jul 10, 2007 - 1:15 PM American at National 8:00 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez headlines an impressive lineup as the American League looks to extend its All-Star Game unbeaten streak to 11 games.

The AL is 9-0-1 in the All-Star Game since its last loss in 1996.

Rodriguez will bat fourth in an AL lineup that features seven former all-stars - totaling 51 appearances - which includes Detroit Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who will be participating in his 14th Midsummer Classic.

It will be the 11th All-Star Game appearance for Rodriguez, who has posted a .317 batting average with a major league-leading 30 home runs and 86 RBI this season.

The AL may be putting a lot of experience in the batter's box, but it will be a different story on the mound. Seven pitchers will be making their first All-Star Game appearance, including starter Dan Haren (10-3, 2.30 ERA) of the Oakland Athletics.

Johan Santana and C.C. Sabathia, who will each be making their third appearance, are the only AL pitchers with muliple All-Star Game visits.

The National League will counter with San Diego Padres righthander Jake Peavy (9-3, 2.19), who will be making his second trip to the Midsummer Classic.

The NL, which has not won since 1996, features a group of young infielders. First baseman Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dogers catcher Russell Martin will both be making their first appearances.

Second baseman Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets' teammates, third baseman David Wright and shortstop Jose Reyes, will be going to the All-Star Game for the second time.

The outfield includes a pair of very familiar faces. San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds will be making his 14th appearance and Ken Griffey Jr. of the Reds will participate for the 13th time.