Five Bluefish Named to All-Star Team
Published on July 8, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn. - July 8, 2011) - Bridgeport Bluefish team officials today announced that five members of the team have been selected to participate in the 2011 Atlantic League All-Star Game. Pitchers Matt Pike and Pat Ryan will be joined by infielders Wes Bankston and Luis Lopez and outfielder Danny Putnam on the Liberty Division squad.
"We are very pleased to have these five players represent the Bluefish during the 2011 Atlantic League All-Star Game," says Bluefish general manager Bob Goughan. "They have been key members of our team during the first half of the season and are deserving of this accomplishment."
Bankston has developed into Bridgeport's biggest offensive power threat in his first year in the Atlantic League. The former Oakland Athletic leads the Bluefish in doubles (19), RBI (35), home run (11), and slugging percentage (.574). Wes also has the highest batting average (.300) of any member of the 'Fish with enough at-bats to be eligible, and has an outstanding .995 fielding percentage at first. The slugger's doubles total, home run total, and slugging percentage, are each the third highest in the league.
Lopez has been a consistent contributor to the Bluefish this season. In his fourth season in Bridgeport, he is batting .292 and leading his team in hits (61) and at-bats (209). Putnam, in his second season with the ball club, is hitting .292 with seven home runs, 20 RBI, and 30 runs scored.
Ryan and Pike have made up Bridgeport's one-two punch at the top of the rotation this season. In his third season in The Park City, Ryan is 3-5 with a 5.38 ERA in 13 starts. The righty is fourth in the Atlantic League in strikeouts (64) and sixth in innings pitched (72). Pike is 5-2 with a 4.07 ERA and 37 strikeouts through 12 starts. The fourth-year 'Fish has tossed 73 frames this season, good for fourth in the league.
Bankston, Lopez, Putnam, Pike and Ryan will represent the Bluefish on the Liberty Division squad managed by Bridgeport manager Willie Upshaw at the 2011 All-Star Game, which takes place July 13 at Sovereign Bank Stadium, home of the York Revolution, in York, Pennsylvania. All-Star selections were the results of fan, media and front office polling, which took place throughout the league and individual team web sites.
The Bridgeport Bluefish Professional Baseball Club, a charter team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, plays its home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, located off Exit 27 of I-95 on the corner of Broad Street and South Frontage Road in Bridgeport. 2011 group outings and individual tickets are available by calling 203-345-4800. Visit the Bluefish online at www.bridgeportbluefish.com.
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