PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

Jerry Blevins, Ryan Wing to represent River Cats at 2008 All-Star Game

Published on July 3, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


West Sacramento, Calif. - River Cats relievers Jerry Blevins and Ryan Wing have been selected to represent Sacramento at the 2008 Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 16th at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky., team and league officials announced today. Fan balloting helped to determine the rosters for the All-Star Game, accounting for one-third of the total vote along with ballots cast by members of the media and each club's field manager, coaches and general manager.

The Triple-A All-Star Game pits the top prospects of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) against the best young stars of the International League (IL). This year's game is the 21st year of the Triple-A tradition. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 at 4:00 p.m. PST and aired locally on the River Cats Flagship Radio Station, K-Hits 92.1 FM at 7:00 p.m. PST (tape delay; online broadcast begins at 4:00 p.m. PDST).

Blevins, acquired in the July 2007 trade that sent Oakland catcher Jason Kendall to the Chicago Cubs, is currently 2-2 with a 2.78 ERA and 10 saves in 28 games with the River Cats this season. The 6-foot-6 lefty was dominant during the Cats' 2007 championship run, striking out 20 of the 33 batters he faced in four postseason appearances while posting a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and two saves. To top off his successful 2007 campaign, Blevins made his Major League debut with Oakland last September.

Wing, a 26-year-old southpaw, was signed as a free agent by the Oakland Athletics organization in November 2007. He is currently 2-1 and leads all Sacramento relievers with a 1.50 ERA in 30 appearances this season.

The two relievers will join River Cats Pitching Coach Rick Rodriguez who on June 19 was named the pitching coach for the Pacific Coast League team. This marks the first Triple-A All-Star Game appearance for Rodriguez, who has been pitching coach for the River Cats for eight of the team's nine seasons.

Three former River Cats will join Blevins, Wing and Rodriguez in Louisville. Catcher John Baker (currently with Albuquerque of the PCL; with Sacramento in 2004-06), outfielder Nelson Cruz (currently with Oklahoma of the PCL; with Sacramento in 2004) and Jon Adkins (currently with Louisville of the IL; with Sacramento in 2000-02) were all selected to play in the game.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 3, 2008


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