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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

It’s Johnson Vs. Maddux

Bloomberg News

The pitching matchup in tonight’s All-Star Game will be a classic battle of power and finesse: The Seattle Mariners’ Randy Johnson against the Atlanta Braves’ Greg Maddux.

American League manager Joe Torre picked Johnson and his near-100 mph fastball to start against Maddux, who has won four of the past five National League Cy Young awards using pinpoint control and an assortment of off-speed pitches.

“I look at it as a challenge when I face the best,” Johnson said. “I have to work a little bit harder. That’s how you get better.”

Leading off for the National League against Johnson will be Houston Astros second baseman Craig Biggio.

He’ll be followed by the San Diego Padres’ Tony Gwynn and San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds. National League manager Bobby Cox hasn’t decided which will play in the field and which will be used as the designated hitter.

“I really don’t want to be the DH,” Gwynn said. “It’s like one real at-bat and three pinch-hitting appearances.”

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza will bat cleanup, followed by Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell and Colorado Rockies outfielder Larry Walker.

Walker, the National League’s leading hitter at .398, asked out of the lineup when the Rockies faced Johnson and the Mariners in an interleague game on June 12.

“I’ll be in there, but I don’t know if I’m looking forward to it,” said Walker, a left-handed hitter.

Rounding out the National League starting lineup are Astros third baseman Ken Caminiti, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Ray Lankford and Braves shortstop Jeff Blauser.

Maddux will be starting his second All-Star Game, only because Montreal Expos starter Pedro Martinez pitched on Saturday and may not be available for the game. Martinez has a 10-4 record and leads N.L. starters with a 1.74 earned run average.

“I guess I’m there by default,” said Maddux, 11-3 with a 2.36 ERA during the first half of the season.

He’ll face an American League lineup led off by Baltimore Orioles left fielder Brady Anderson, followed by Mariners shortstop Alex Rodriguez.

Seattle outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will bat third, followed in the clean-up spot by New York Yankees first baseman Tino Martinez. Mariners designated hitter Edgar Martinez will bat fifth, ahead of New York right fielder Paul O’Neill and Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.

Rounding out the A.L. lineup are Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez and Orioles second baseman Roberto Alomar.