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Indianapolis Indians

Three Indians Invited To Triple-A All-Star Game

June 27, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Indians starting pitcher Bryan Bullington, utility man Yurendell (pronounced "sure-REN-dull") de Caster and infielder Brian Bixler have been invited to the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game, which will be played on July 11 at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, N.M.

The International League's top players will face the Pacific Coast League's best in the 20th annual contest, which will be televised live on ESPN2 at 7:35 p.m. EDT.

Bullington owns a 9-4 record, 3.43 ERA and seven quality starts (at least 6.0 IP; no more than 3 ER) in 14 games this season. His win total ties for first in the IL and ninth in all of professional baseball.

The 26-year-old went 4-0 with a 1.17 ERA over five starts in April en route to being named the team's Most Valuable Player for that month. He allowed just 26 hits and a .239 batting average while striking out 14 in 30.2 innings during the stretch.

Bullington was born in Indianapolis and spent most of his childhood in Madison, Ind. The right-hander went on to play collegiately at Ball State University before being selected by the Pirates as the first overall pick in the 2002 draft.

De Caster ranks among the league leaders in on-base percentage (2nd - .426), batting average (8th - .317) and walks (T-8th, 40). He has also collected three long balls and 29 RBI in 64 Triple-A contests this year.

The 27-year-old is hitting .365 in games played at Victory Field, .323 versus right-handed pitchers and .321 with runners in scoring position. The Tribe's Most Versatile Player in 2006, de Caster has seen action at four different defensive positions and been penciled in at five different spots in the batting order this season.

De Caster, a native of Curacao in the Netherlands, Antilles, signed his first pro contract in 1997. He came over to the Pirates organization in the 2000 Rule 5 draft.

Bixler ranks among the league leaders in triples (1st - 8), runs (T-3rd - 51), stolen bases (5th - 17) and on-base percentage (8th - .400). He also owns a .300 batting average with four home runs and 31 RBI in 69 Triple-A games this season.

The 24-year-old is hitting .353 against left-handed pitchers, .347 in games played at Victory Field and .343 with runners in scoring position. The first-year Triple-A middle infielder has committed just 10 errors in 311 total chances and has been part of 50 double plays.

Bixler, a native of Sandusky, Ohio, played collegiately at Eastern Michigan University before being selected by the Pirates in the second round of the 2004 draft.

The Indianapolis Indians have now had eight players invited to the midsummer classic in three seasons as a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate. LHP Zach Duke, RHP Mark Corey, RHP Ian Snell and OF Nate McLouth were given the nod in 2005, while LHP Tom Gorzelanny was honored in 2006.

More information on the Triple-A All-Star Game can be found at www.IndyIndians.com, www.MiLB.com, www.ILBaseball.com or www.AlbuquerqueBaseball.com.

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