PITTSBURGH -- Barry Zito's second All-Star appearance lasted two batters and five pitches longer than his first outing four years ago.

Zito, who threw three pitches in 2002, needed just eight to retire the National League in order in the fifth inning of the 77th All-Star Game on Tuesday.

"Obviously, I won't be too tired for my next start," Zito said.

Zito had not pitched since Friday, and the lefty was ready to go. Two of the three batters he faced did provide a little adventure.

"I was glad to be a part of all of this," he said. "It was a lot of fun. I got to talk to a lot of people -- [Rays pitcher Scott] Kazmir, [Twins catcher Joe] Mauer.

Said Mauer: "I've batted against him, and now I got to catch him. It was pretty fun. He's got that big curveball, and knows how to pitch. He's just nasty."

Zito began his inning by getting Phillies second baseman Chase Utley to pop out on a 1-2 pitch to second baseman Michael Young.

That brought up Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca, who swung on the first pitch, hitting a grounder to third baseman Alex Rodriguez. The ball took a tricky hop, Rodriguez knocked it down and then bounced his throw to first base.

But first baseman David Ortiz, normally no more than a designated hitter with the Red Sox, made a terrific scoop for the out.

Zito, on his final batter of the night, then got ahead with two quick strikes to Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday. Holliday then jumped on an 0-2 pitch, hitting it high and deep to left field.

But Gary Matthews Jr. got back to the warning track and made the catch for the third out.

"I caught it right in front of the wall," Matthews said. "The fans were out there touching me when I caught the ball."

Zito spent much more time throwing and warming up in the bullpen than he did on the mound. He started throwing in the third inning, and he had to keep it up through Commissioner Bud Selig's presentation of the Historic Achievement Award to the late Roberto Clemente, a Pirates legend, after the fourth inning.

"It was kind of weird coming out to the bullpen and coming in the game late," Zito said. "I was asking [Blue Jays ace Roy] Halladay what do we do, and he wasn't sure either."