Balanced team to represent PCL at Triple-A All-Star Game

Published on June 24, 2004 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release

A formidable lineup of Pacific Coast League stars, possessing a combined batting average of .327 and a team ERA of 3.31, have been chosen to participate in the seventeenth annual Triple-A All-Star Game to be held on Wednesday, July 14 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The Game, to be played at McCoy Stadium, home of the IL's Pawtucket Red Sox, will be broadcast across North America on the ESPN2 television network and distributed by Sporting News Radio to a worldwide audience. First pitch of the annual Triple-A summer classic matching stars of the International and Pacific Coast Leagues is scheduled for 7:10 pm eastern.

The All-Star teams were once again chosen by field managers, club officials, media and league representatives. The 2004 Game marks the seventh consecutive season teams representing the International and Pacific Coast Leagues have faced off in the mid-season event. The Pacific Coast League squad hopes to return to its winning ways after falling to the IL 13-9 in last season's contest in Memphis. The loss ended the PCL's All-Star record four-game winning streak. The PCL holds a 4-2 advantage in the series with the IL, having dropped the opener in 1998 before winning the next four. The first ten Triple-A All-Star Games were played in a National League affiliates versus American League affiliates format.

TRIPLE CROWN TRIO LEADS PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE PITCHING STAFF

Salt Lake manager Mike Brumley, a former Pawtucket player, will guide a deep, talented Pacific Coast League team in his return to McCoy Stadium on July 14. Leading the way is a trio of outstanding young pitchers - all under the age of 25 - each of whom leads the PCL in a different Triple Crown category. Sacramento right-hander Mike Wood (24-years-old), the leading vote-getter on the PCL squad, paces the circuit with 11 victories, ranks second in ERA, and is tied for fourth in strikeouts. Twenty three-year-old right-hander Dan Haren of Memphis boasts a PCL-best 104 strikeouts, is tied for second in the loop with 8 wins, and is fourth in ERA. Tacoma's Travis Blackley, a 21-year-old lefty from Australia, leads the PCL with a 2.63 ERA to go along with 7 victories (T-4th) and 63 strikeouts (T-9th). In addition to Wood, Haren & Blackey, the staff includes three other hurlers with at least 7 wins. Edmonton's Scott Downs, who tossed a no-hitter on June 11, brings an 8-3 record and a 2.89 ERA into play, while Colorado Springs' Denny Stark and Omaha's Jamey Wright each have posted seven victories. The PCL's top active closer is available in the bullpen, as Portland's Bart Miadich has collected 12 saves this season.

As usual, the position players selected to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team boast a vast array of skills. Slugging designated hitter Calvin Pickering of Omaha leads all of professional baseball with 25 home runs. The 6'5", 260 lb. Pickering also paces the PCL with a .455 on-base percentage and a .772 slugging percentage. The outfield features Edmonton's Ryan Church, who leads the Triple-A classification with a .360 average, Memphis' John Gall, who ranks among League leaders with 19 HR and 58 RBI, and Iowa's Trenidad Hubbard, at 38 the oldest player selected to the Triple-A All-Star Game, but also the All-Star with the most stolen bases (20). A pair of Albuquerque Isotopes, both returning to action after sitting out the 2003 season with injuries, man the PCL's starting corner infield spots. First baseman Larry Sutton, who missed last year with a knee injury, is batting .347 with 14 HR and 41 RBI while third-sacker Joe Dillon, who contemplated retirement after last season's back surgery, has returned to hit at a .384 clip with 17 HR and 43 RBI. His average would lead the PCL easily if he had the required number of plate appearances. Colorado Springs shortstop Clint Barmes brings Triple-A best marks in hits (101) and runs scored (59) to a starting role. Sacramento second baseman Adam Morrissey (.340/8/34) and New Orleans catcher John Buck (.300/12/35) round out the PCL starters.

Tacoma's Bucky Jacobsen highlights the PCL offensive reserves. The Rainiers' first baseman paces all PCL players with 42 extra-base hits and 70 RBI. Another notable PCL back-up is Las Vegas outfielder Nick Theodorou, a California native who will play for the Greek Olympic Team later this summer in Athens.

Four of the PCL All-Stars will be making their second trips to the Triple-A All-Star Game. Miadich was a Triple-A All-Star for Salt Lake in 2002 while Pickering, then with Rochester, and Colorado Springs' Erick Almonte, formerly of Columbus, were teammates on the IL squad in Indianapolis in 2001. With his selection, Fresno's Lee Gardner, who played for the IL Team in each of the past two seasons as a member of the Durham Bulls, joins Roberto Petagine (1996-98) and Todd Williams (1998-2000) as the only players to be selected to three straight Triple-A All-Star Games. PCL starters Buck and Hubbard were chosen for last year's Triple-A Game, but missed the contest because of injury (Buck) and a Major League promotion (Hubbard).

Pacific Coast League Stories from June 24, 2004

• House Belts Third Grand Slam As Sounds Snap Skid With 7-5 Win - Nashville Sounds
• Miadich to represent PCL in Triple-A All-Star Game - Portland Beavers
• Steve Neal and Craig Ansman named to PCL All-Star team - Tucson Sidewinders
• Isotopes to send two to Triple-A All-Star Game - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Sox Split Doubleheader - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Wood, Morrissey Selected As PCL All-Stars - Sacramento River Cats
• Rainiers send three to All-Star Game - Tacoma Rainiers
• “Seahawks Live” tickets available July 5 - Portland Beavers
• Zephyrs game day - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Dave Williams Named To PCL All-Star Team - Nashville Sounds
• Balanced team to represent PCL at Triple-A All-Star Game - PCL1
• River Cats end Beavers win streak - Portland Beavers
• Rain Delay Gives Tucson Premature Victory - Tucson Sidewinders

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