All-Star lineups: LF Josh Hamilton bats 3rd

July, 9, 2012
7/09/12
12:49
PM CT


KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- American League manager Ron Washington unveiled his lineup for the 2012 All-Star Game on Monday and has his Rangers scattered with Josh Hamilton batting third, Adrian Beltre batting sixth and Mike Napoli hitting eighth.

AL LINEUP

SS Derek Jeter
2B Robinson Cano
LF Josh Hamilton
RF Jose Bautista
1B Prince Fielder
3B Adrian Beltre
DH David Ortiz
C Mike Napoli
CF Curtis Granderson

RHP Justin Verlander

NL LINEUP

DH Carlos Gonzalez
CF Melky Cabrera
LF Ryan Braun
1B Joey Votto
RF Carlos Beltran
C Buster Posey
3B Pablo Sandoval
2B Dan Uggla
SS Rafael Furcal

RHP Matt Cain

Hamilton, who finished the first half batting .308 and leads the league with 75 RBIs and 27 homers (tied with Jose Bautista), is making his fifth straight All-Star Game start. Hamilton has batted all over the order in his previous four All-Star Game starts: fifth in 2011, cleanup in 2010, sixth in 2009 and third in 2008. He bats third in the Rangers' lineup.

Beltre completed the first half with the best batting average of any Ranger at .326, fourth best in the AL. He's making his second All-Star Game start, as he filled in for an injured Alex Rodriguez last year. This is the first time Beltre has been selected by the fans to start the game.

Napoli is making his first All-Star appearance as he tries to start the second half on an up note. Napoli struggled through the first half, hitting just .228 with 12 homers and 30 RBIs.
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.

SPONSORED HEADLINES

ESPN Conversations


You must be signed in to post a comment

Already have an account?

103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS

Galloway & Company: Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan joins Galloway & Company for his weekly visit to discuss the latest Rangers news.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Reid Ryan

Reid Ryan joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss his new position with the Houston Astros and whether he could see his dad, Nolan, joining him there in the future.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Jayson Stark

ESPN MLB Insider Jayson Stark joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss if the Rangers are the best team in baseball, what makes them so good and if he thinks the team will trade Jurickson Profar.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Jim Bowden

Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Ron Washington's decision to send Yu Darvish to the mound for the eighth inning Thursday night and how he would handle a situation like that if he were still a GM.

Galloway & Company: Rangers talk

Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Glenn "Stretch" Smith discuss the latest Rangers news, including the Yu Darvish-Justin Verlander matchup.

Galloway & Company: Nelson Cruz

Nelson Cruz joins Galloway & Company to discuss the Rangers' series in Oakland, his ups and downs at the plate and if the PED talks before the season were a distraction.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Ron Washington

Rangers manager Ron Washington joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett live from Oakland for his weekly visit.

Galloway & Company: Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan joins Galloway & Company to discuss his role with the Rangers. Ryan says that he has not been in contact with the Astros about a possible opening and he doesn't think that he would be interested anyway.

TEAM LEADERS

BA LEADER
Lance Berkman
BA HR RBI R
.309 3 25 20
OTHER LEADERS
HRN. Cruz 11
RBIN. Cruz 33
RE. Andrus 28
OPSM. Moreland .922
WY. Darvish 7
ERAY. Darvish 2.97
SOY. Darvish 86

DALLAS CALENDAR

  •    There are no games scheduled for today.