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Rainiers Send Two To Triple-A All-Star Game

June 28, 2012

Designated hitter Luis Jimenez and catcher Guillermo Quiroz have been selected to represent the Tacoma Rainiers in the 2012 Triple-A All-Star Game in Buffalo, NY, the Pacific Coast League office announced on Thursday.

The selections mark the first season the Rainiers have had more than one player named to the Triple-A All-Star Game since outfielder Chris Shelton and infielder Brian LaHair were both tabbed to represent the PCL during the 2009 season.

Jimenez and Quiroz join a PCL squad scheduled to face off against the All-Stars of the International League in the 25th annual contest held on Wednesday, July 11 at Buffalo's Coca-Cola Field. The game will be broadcast live by MLB Network, American Forces Network and Triple-A All-Star Game Radio Network beginning at 4:00 p.m. PT.

Jimenez, 30, marks his first career Triple-A All-Star Game appearance in his second season with the Rainiers. The hard-hitting Venezuelan ranks fifth in the league with a .421 on-base percentage, and has reached safely in 61 of the first 71 games of his 2012 campaign. He sits 12th in the PCL with a .325 (86x265) average, and leads the Rainiers in hits (86), doubles (19), RBI (49) and is tied for first with 12 home runs. Originally signed by the Oakland Athletics as a non-drafted free agent in 1999, Jimenez joined the Mariners organization as a minor league free agent prior to the 2011 season.

The Triple-A All-Star Game selection is also the first for Quiroz, currently in his 14th professional season since signing with Toronto as a non-drafted free agent in 2008. The 30-year-old is batting .325 (50x154) with nine home runs and 28 RBI through his first 46 appearances. Over 45 games (41 GS) behind the plate for the Tacoma, Quiroz has compiled a .994 fielding percentage and has thrown out nine of 32 attempted base stealers (28.1%).

Jimenez, Quiroz and the rest of the Rainiers play the second game of the club's seven-game homestand at 7:05 p.m. tonight. Seattle Mariners top pitching prospect Danny Hultzen (0-1, 15.00) is slated to make his Cheney Stadium debut in the contest against former Mariners pitching legend Jamie Moyer (0-0, -.--).

Every Rainiers game can be heard live on South Sound Sports 850-AM and is available to be streamed online at www.tacomarainiers.com.

To purchase season tickets, group packages or party decks for the 2012 season, call (253) 752-7707 or email [email protected]. Up-to-date news and notes throughout the season can be found at www.tacomarainiers.com and by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.