Felix Hernandez named to American League All-Star team

SEATTLE, Wash. - Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez has been elected to play for the American League in the Major League Baseball All-Star game held July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Hernandez, 26, will be making his third trip to the All-Star Game, also being elected to the AL team in 2009 (St. Louis) and 2011 (Arizona). He pitched 1.0 shutout inning in his only ASG appearance in 2009 (DNP last season).

Felix becomes the 6th player in club history to be selected to at least three All-Star games, and just the second pitcher. He joins Ken Griffey Jr. (10; 1990, '91, '92-MVP, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99), Ichiro (10; 2001, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07-MVP, '08, '09, '10), Edgar Martinez (7; 1992, '95, '96, '97, 2000, '01, '03), Randy Johnson (5; 1990, '93, '94, '95, '97) and Alex Rodriguez (4; 1996, '97, '98, 2000) as Mariners with at least three trips to the Midsummer Classic.

With two more scheduled starts before the All-Star break (July 3 vs. Baltimore, July 8 at Oakland), Felix is 6-5 with a 3.09 ERA (38 ER, 110.2 IP) in 16 starts. He has recorded 114 strikeouts (9.27 K/9.0 IP), including three games with 10+ strikeouts. Among AL starters, Felix ranks T2nd in strikeouts (114), 3rd in K/9.0 IP (9.27), 3rd in innings pitched (110.2), T4th in games started (16), 7th in ERA (3.09) and T7th in quality starts (10).

The 2012 All-Star Game will be played at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, July 10th.  The 83rd All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed.  Pregame ceremonies will begin at 7:30 p.m. (EDT)/6:30 p.m. (CDT).  ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.  For more information, please visit allstargame.com.