PCL Names Salt Bees Infielder Matt Brown, Pitcher Jason Bulger to All-Star Team

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - SALT LAKE CITY – The Pacific Coast League announced today that Salt Lake Bees infielder Matt Brown and pitcher Jason Bulger have been named to the 2008 PCL All-Star Team. Both players will suit up for the 21st annual Triple-A All-Star Game, slated for July 16th at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky. when the PCL squad takes on the International League All-Stars. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (EDT) and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 as well as on MILB.TV.
 
“This is the 15th straight season that Salt Lake has been represented at the Triple-A All-Star game,” said President of Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment Randy Rigby. “We began the season with the best start in minor league baseball history and now have two All-Stars, it has been a great first half of the 2008 season.”
 
Brown, a native of Bellevue, Wash., has appeared in 73 games for the Bees this season, batting .327 and leading the team in home runs (17), doubles (24) and runs scored (61). The infielder made his major league debut on May 10, 2007, and appeared ADVERTISEMENT in four games with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last season. Brown has appeared in five games with the Angels in 2008, registering one double and two RBI.
 
Bulger, a native of Lawrenceville, Ga., has appeared in 22 games for the Bees this season, owning a 2-0 record and a team-high 0.70 ERA with nine saves in 10 opportunities. The right-handed pitcher began the 2008 season with the Angels, registering a 7.94 ERA in five games. He made his major league debut on August 26, 2005 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
 
“Matt and Jason are both very deserving of this honor,” said Bees Manager Bobby Mitchell. “Matt has been outstanding for us this entire season, especially at the plate. Since Bulger has joined us, he’s been lights out. He has really become our go-to guy who we rely on to save games.”
 
2008 will mark the 11th showdown under the current IL vs. PCL format, as the first 10 contests pitted All-Stars selected from National League affiliates against those from the American League. The leagues are tied in the overall series with a record of 5-and-5. Additional information about the Triple-A All-Star Game and its festivities can be found on the official websites of the Pacific Coast League (www.pclbaseball.com), the International League (www.ilbaseball.com), and the Louisville Bats (www.batsbaseball.com).
 
“The Bees have had a tremendous first half of the season and we can attribute much of that success to Matt and Jason,” said Bees General Manager Marc Amicone. “This is a tremendous accomplishment for them and a tribute to the Angels organization.”
The Salt Lake Bees return home for an 11-game home stand tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. with fireworks following the game. For more information about Bees season tickets, which start as low as $7 per game, please call (801) 325-BEES or visit the Bees box office at Franklin Covey Field.

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