River Cats relievers Jerry Blevins and Ryan Wing have been selected for the 2008 Triple-A All-Star Game on July 16 in Louisville, Ky., team and league officials announced today.
Blevins, acquired in the trade last July that sent Oakland catcher Jason Kendall to the Chicago Cubs, is 2-2 with a 2.78 ERA and 10 saves in 28 games with the River Cats this season. The 6-foot-6 left-hander struck out 20 of the 33 batters he faced in four postseason appearances last season in the River Cats' run to the Triple-A championship, posting a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and two saves.
Fellow left-hander Wing, 26, is 2-1 and leads Sacramento relievers with a 1.50 ERA in 30 appearances this season. He was signed as a free agent in November.
The relievers join River Cats pitching coach Rick Rodriguez as Sacramento's All-Star representatives. Rodriguez on June 19 was named the pitching coach for the Pacific Coast League team. It 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.
The Triple-A All-Star Game pits the PCL's top prospects against the best young stars of the International League. It will be televised nationally on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and aired locally on KCCL (92.1 FM) at 7 on tape delay. It also airs live online.
